Martin Whitely, a West Australian (WA) politician and former school teacher, has had unprecedented success tackling the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Industry.  When he was elected to the WA Parliament in 2001 Perth's ADHD prescribing rates were amongst the highest in the world.  His advocacy slashed WA child ADHD stimulant prescribing numbers from a WA Government estimated high of 18,000* in 2000 to 5,666 in 2008 and in the process slashed WA teenage amphetamine abuse rates.

However, Martin's success has been isolated to Western Australia.  Across the globe, the ADHD Industry have been incredibly successful at expanding its markets.  The Industry has created a sense of panic about ordinary childhood behaviours like fidgeting and failing to sit still.  They have re-branded dangerous addictive amphetamines (Speed) like Dexamphetamine and Ritalin, and a rebranded antidepressant, Strattera, to pursue a thinly disguised profit driven agenda. 

As a result millions of parents have been scared into 'medicating' their children in order to prevent imagined disastrous education and life outcomes.  However, Perth's ADHD story offers hope that with common sense and leadership children can have a future where difference is regarded as a strength, not a disorder, and children with problems will have their real needs met.  It shows we can do better for our children than simply drugging them so that they "Speed Up and Sit Still."

If you would like to contact Martin or receive email updates on breaking news in regard to ADHD email:  martinwhitely@adhdspeedupsitstill.com

*Martin Whitely believes the WA Government estimate may have been an overestimate and considers 14,000 a more accurate estimate of the number of children on ADHD stimulants in WA in 2000.  Refer to Rise and Fall of ADHD in WA.