Schools Can't Urge
Meds for Kids

The law reflects a growing backlash against what some see as overuse of Ritalin and other behavioral drugs.

The measure does not prevent school officials from recommending that a child be evaluated by a medical doctor. But the law is intended to make sure the first mention of any drug treatment comes from a doctor.

"I cannot believe how many young kids are on Prozac, Thorazine, Haldol — you name it," said the law's chief sponsor, state Rep. Lenny Winkler, who is an emergency room nurse. "It blows my mind."

Winkler said a teacher's recommendation is often enough to persuade parents to seek drug treatment for their child's behavior problems.

"It's easier to give somebody a pill than to get to the bottom of the problem," she said.

Nationally, nearly 20 million prescriptions for Ritalin, Adderall and other stimulants used to treat kids were written last year — a 35% increase over 1996.

Priest's Deadline

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican gave African Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo a month yesterday to separate from his wife and quit the Moonies or face excommunication.

The Vatican said that Milingo, who was married by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon in New York in May, has until Aug. 20 to comply with the order. Milingo, a controversial 71-year-old faith healer who also practices exorcism, married Maria Sung, 43, in a ballroom at the Hilton on May 27. The Catholic Church has strict celibacy rules for clergy, who are not allowed to marry.

Sprung by Fake ID

LOS ANGELES — A man who escaped from jail by using a photo of actor Eddie Murphy as identification was still on the lam yesterday after breaking a pledge to surrender to a TV weatherman, police said.

Authorities said they now had no leads to the whereabouts of 31-year-old Kevin Jerome Pullum, who escaped from county jail on July 6 after his conviction for attempted murder. Pullum strolled out of the Twin Towers jail after changing into civilian clothes from a court appearance. He used a fake employee identification card that he reportedly created with a picture of Murphy from the film "Dr. Doolittle 2."

Exercise is Key

LONDON — Obese people who exercise have half the death rate of those who are trim but don't exercise, a leading expert said yesterday.

Previous studies linking obesity and death from heart disease and other major killers have missed the important influence of exercise, said Steven Blair, director of research at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas. "There is a misdirected obsession with weight and weight loss," he said. "The focus is all wrong. It's fitness that is the key."

Septuplet is Aided

WASHINGTON — One of the septuplets born last week was put back on a ventilator after his heart rate began dropping.

The doctor overseeing the babies' care said it was nothing to be alarmed about. "I don't consider this as a setback at all," Dr. Siva Subramanian, chief of neonatology at Georgetown University Hospital, said yesterday.

The septuplets — five boys and two girls — remain in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. One other is also on a ventilator.

Fatal Jet Crash

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — An Air Force F-16 chase plane on a photography mission crashed yesterday in a remote mountainous area, killing both men on board.

The F-16B took off from Edwards Air Force Base on a photo mission to record the test flight of another F-16. Killed were Maj. Aaron George, a pilot with the 416th Flight Test Squadron, and Judson Brohmer, an aerial photographer.

GOPers Nix W Idea

WASHINGTON — A Republican-controlled House committee voted yesterday to let federal workers' health-insurance plans continue covering prescription contraceptives, ignoring President Bush's proposal to halt the practice.

The House Appropriations Committee's overwhelming 40 to 21 vote, including 12 Republicans who voted "yes," directly affects only 1.2 million female federal employees of childbearing age. Even so, the action was considered a setback for Bush and seemed to draw a line on how far Congress' anti-abortion forces can go.

News Wire Services

What do you think? Post your comments on our Forums.