Ritalin for sale in North playgrounds

Ritalin is used to treat hyperactive children

Strong prescription drugs meant for attention deficit children are being sold in school playgrounds across the north-east of England.

Ritalin is an amphetamine-based drug which is prescribed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The symptoms of ADHD range from poor concentration and extreme hyperactivity to interrupting and intruding on other people.

But Ritalin's side-effects are making it an attractive pill for children looking for a drug high.

According to Dave Woodhouse, head of psychology at Teesside University, who also helps run the Cactus Clinic in Middlesbrough, the trend is worrying.

Quick high

He said: "A number of teachers in the region have said they know that children are selling Ritalin in the playground for anything from 50p to £1.

"There was an instance on one occasion when a child when hung up on a clothes peg in the changing rooms, and his Ritalin stolen."

Ritalin, clinical name methylphenidate, is designed to be swallowed, but if crushed up and snorted, it can give a quick high.

One side-effect of the Class B amphetamine is reduced appetite, making it attractive to girls wanting lose weight.

Patrick Hargreaves, drugs advisor for Durham County Council, said: "All drugs, illegal or otherwise, are potentially dangerous if they are misused."

Double use

According to the Department of Health, the number of prescriptions for the drug increased by 22% last year.

The number of children taking the drug now tops 254,000, having more than doubled over the past five years.

The government's drug watchdog ruled in 2000 that Ritalin should be prescribed on the NHS to children with serious hyperactivity problems.

It is not licensed for people under the age of six, but doctors have prescribed it to children as young as 15 months.