At their June 2000 meeting, members of NIDA's Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG)* shared the following information.

• The abuse of methylphenidate has been reported in Baltimore, mostly among middle and high schools students; Boston, especially among middle and upper-middle class communities; Detroit; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Phoenix; and Texas.
• When abused, methylphenidate tablets are often used orally or crushed and used intranasally.
• In 1999, 165 methylphenidate-related poison calls were made in Detroit; 419 were reported in Texas, with 114 of those involving intentional misuse or abuse.
• On Chicago's South Side, some users inject methylphenidate (this is referred to as "west coast"). Also, some mix it with heroin (a "speedball") or in combination with both cocaine and heroin for a more potent effect.

Because stimulant medicines such as methylphenidate do have potential for abuse, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has placed stringent, Schedule II controls on their manufacture, distribution, and prescription. For example, DEA requires special licenses for these activities, and prescription refills are not allowed. States may impose further regulations, such as limiting the number of dosage units per prescription.

Drugs of Abuse
Alcohol	Cocaine/Crack	Ecstasy
Heroin	Inhalants	Ketamine
Meth	Marijuana	Nicotine
Ritalin	Steroids
More Resources
• Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse
• Big Changes From Elementary School to Middle School
• Pressured Tweens & Teens Turn to Alcohol & Drugs
• Help for the Innocent
• Americans in Denial About Drug Abuse
• Sex Under the Influence of Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Youth Risk Behaviors
• Impaired Driving and Teenagers

Source: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).