Aggression Quote by Gore Vidal
“Although drugs are immoral and must be kept from the young, thousands of schools pressure parents to give the drug Ritalin to any lively child who may, sensibly, show signs of boredom in his classroom. Ritalin renders the child docile if not comatose. Side effects? "Stunted growth, facial tics, agitation and aggression, insomnia, appetite loss, headaches, stomach pains and seizures." Marijuana would be far less harmful.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion piece: Unknown publication, likely essay or interview
The author condemns the use of Ritalin in children, labeling it immoral and harmful, and suggests marijuana as a safer alternative.
In simple terms: Ritalin is harmful to children; marijuana is safer.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of prescribing Ritalin to kids.
Themes
ethics
medicine
education
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
controversial
opinion
When to use this quote
- school policy
- parental decision-making
- healthcare regulation
Key Concepts
pharmacology
public health
child development
Questions to Reflect On
- Should drug policy consider both risks and benefits?
- What are safer alternatives for managing classroom behavior?
A Different Perspective
The claim oversimplifies complex medical and social issues and may ignore evidence of Ritalin's benefits.
![“I was asked by the National Institute of Health to be their scientific discussant on the effects of these drug [Ritalin] at a big conference they held. Beforehand, I reviewed all of the important literature on the issue. Even with experiments on animals. When they're given these drugs they stop…” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/09b/peter-breggin-22000_animal_i-was-asked-by-the-national-institute-of_2488763.jpg)
![“In Texas, we do not hold high expectations for the [governor's] office; it's mostly been occupied by crooks, dorks and the comatose.” quote by Molly Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec5/molly-ivins-1296_comatose_in-texas-we-do-not-hold-high-expectation_427584.jpg)
![“Now they [the Powers] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. If we just fold our arms and yield to them, I would have no face to see our ancestors after death. If we must perish, why not fight to the death?” quote by Empress Dowager Cixi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/947/empress-dowager-cixi-68177_after-death_now-they-the-powers-have-started-the-agg_53275.jpg)
