McCabe SE, Teter CJ, Boyd CJ, et al: Prevalence and correlates of illicit methylphenidate use among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in the United States, 2001. J Adolesc Health 2004:35(6):501-504.
This study reviews one question from the Monitoring the Future Study of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students in the United States. Over 12,000 students completed a paper-and-pencil survey within the school setting. Students were asked, "During the last 12 months, on how many occasions (if any) have you taken Ritalin (without a doctor's orders)?" The unadjusted prevalence of illicit methylphenidate use in the last 12 months was 4.0% for the entire survey. Caucasian students were six times more likely than African-American students to report use. Students in 10th and 12th grades earning low grade point averages were more likely to have used Ritalin, and students who used Ritalin were more likely to smoke cigarettes, report heavy episodic drinking, and use marijuana and cocaine.