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Methylphenidate and Crime Reduction

Author

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  • Birger Antholz

    (University of Hamburg)

Abstract

In a school survey, 37 out of 1066 pupils say they had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD. ADHD students who are not treated with methylphenidate show an offender rate of 68%. When treated with methylphenidate it is 33%, only half as high. Methylphenidate treatment halves the crime rate. That Methylphenidate is an effective anti-crime tool is confirmed by a Swedish study with adults (deviance reduction through methylphenidate, 32% for men and 41% for women). A crime decline in the bright and dark field is recognized in Germany as being worldwide since 1993, while at the same time the prescription of methylphenidate has increased nationally and internationally. From the micro-/ individual relation of the school survey and the macro-connection, i.e. the coincidence of crime reduction and methylphenidate increase, causality is derived. Methylphenidate is an important explanation for the decline in crime in the last 25 years.

Suggested Citation

  • Birger Antholz, 2019. "Methylphenidate and Crime Reduction," International Journal of Social Sciences, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 8(2), pages 33-55, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sek:jijoss:v:8:y:2019:i:2:p:33-55
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ritalin; methylphenidate; crime drop; orbitofrontal cortex; ADHD; deviance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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