Guest guest Posted January 11, 2004 Report Share Posted January 11, 2004 JustSayNo Wed, 07 Jan 2004 23:23:03 -0500 [sSRI-Research] Canadian Ritalin Protester Gets Say in House After 6 Months in Tent Ritalin protester gets say in House after enduring six months in tent http://canadaeast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID==/20031213/TPEBRIEF/312130002 (Noel Chenier/Telegraph-Journal) After six months of living in a pink tent on the legislature lawn in Fredericton, protester Charles Leblanc packs up his belongings Friday. BY NINA CHIARELLI Telegraph-Journal His protest started with a belief that New Brunswick's children were being prescribed Ritalin unnecessarily. Ten thousand signatures, and 180 days later, protester Charles LeBlanc is calling it quits after finally getting recognition from government that something needs to be done. Mr. LeBlanc has been camped on the front lawn of the legislature since June, living in a ramshackle tent, several times removed by authorities, and at least once the target of vandals. He braved Hurricane Juan, high winds and torrential rain. He survived temperatures that dipped below -20 C and almost half a metre of snow dumped on him during last week's blast. But none of it shook the man who took on Ritalin, doctors, and government, all in the name of children and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD). Until Friday. For the first time since his odyssey began, Mr. LeBlanc sat comfortably on a plush, velour settee in the presence of the politicians he so opposed. Invited into the Legislative Assembly, sitting so near the front he could hear off-hand comments by House Speaker Bev Harrison, Mr. LeBlanc ended his six-month protest by hearing aloud the petition for which he worked so hard to get support. " I agree that Ritalin is over prescribed in this province. Je suis d'accord que le Ritalin est sur-prescrit dans cette province, " the petition said. It was with tears rolling down his face, that Charles - as he's intimately called by the politicians who saw him daily - could barely control his cracking voice as he described the standing ovation he received from New Brunswick's MLAs. " It's emotional. But I still think the message is the kids. I hope they will pay attention to the over-prescription of Ritalin, " he said. " The first two, three months, it was really, really, hard. But it's an issue that has to be addressed. " Mr. LeBlanc, a Saint Johner, isn't your typical protester. Wiry and nearing middle age, Mr. LeBlanc suffers from ADHD himself. He's easily recognizable as the scruffy man from the pink tent who talks a lot, and is unapologetic for it. He biked across Canada and the United States in his early 20s for something to do. Only five years ago, when he was diagnosed with ADHD, was he able to put his busy fingers, his constant talking and his bicycle journey into context. However, each time he is asked about what brought him to the legislature's front lawn, he says the same thing: " Never mind about me. Talk about the kids. These kids must be treated with dignity. It's only about them, nothing else. " The petition was read by Liberal MLA T.J. Burke (Fredericton North), who called Charles " one of the true, last protesters of this province. " Charles and I have established a good friendship since the beginning of June. I greatly acknowledge his efforts. He's somebody who has strong convictions and passion for what's he's doing. It takes a lot of conviction to sit out there for 180 days, " he said. Outside the House, Health and Wellness Minister Elvy Robichaud and Education Minister Madeleine Dubé said they supported Mr. LeBlanc's efforts. Both said they have worked to get Mr. LeBlanc meetings with department officials who could help him. Both said they thought Mr. LeBlanc got the attention of New Brunswickers. Mr. Robichaud said he has arranged a meeting for the protester with New Brunswick's medical society, a group that represents doctors. " I think he made the point. And at least at this point we're ready to move and do something with (him). I felt that this was a win for Charles and a win for young people in New Brunswick, which was his objective, " he said. For her part, Ms. Dubé has arranged a meeting for Mr. LeBlanc with staff in her department next week. " It will give Charles an opportunity to speak about his concerns with Ritalin within the school system. Hopefully after that we'll see if there's anything we can do better, " she said. Friday was a busy day for Mr. LeBlanc. He surrendered his cause and petition to the government and he packed his tent. A lot for a man who spent the last six months sending out e-mail updates each day from the library, and talking to anyone and everyone who passed his tent. He'll remain in Fredericton for one more week before returning to Saint John to spend Christmas with his family. Having made 10,000 new friends, as he calls them, Mr. LeBlanc said he won't disappear, since people will want to be updated on his cause and where it stands. " I don't know what I'll do. Look for work, think about what's been done for the kids, and try to move on, I guess. " _______________ " Mercury is a heavy metal that is very toxic even in small doses. Exposure to mercury can lead to damage of the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. " The New York Times / May 7, 2003 http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/07/international/asia/07INDI.html?ex==%1053316 & pagewanted====print & position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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