Detroit boy, 13, collapses, dies during pickup basketball game January 21, 2005, 4:39 AM DETROIT (AP) -- A 13-year-old boy collapsed during a pickup basketball game in his school gym and died, authorities say. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office planned an autopsy Friday for Karl Hollis, an eighth-grader at Detroit Lions Academy. Karl collapsed about 2 p.m. Thursday and was dead on arrival at Children's Hospital of Michigan, police Officer Jeremy Aguayo told the Detroit Free Press. Detroit Public Schools spokeswoman Mattie Majors said grief counselors would be at the school Friday to help children and staff. Detroit Lions Academy is an alternative middle school for students who have not been successful in traditional middle schools. Students are admitted based on referrals from their previous school principals. ------ Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com I am very sorry to hear about the death of another child. This boys death should not be past off as just a fluke. In March of 2000 news stations did a story about the death of our 14-year-old son Matthew. The Oakland County medical examiner concluded his death was a direct result of the use of methylphenidate, Ritalin used for ADHD. Between 1990 and 2000 there were 186 deaths from methylphenidate reported to the FDA MedWatch program, a voluntary reporting scheme, the numbers of which represent no more than 10 to 20% of the actual incidence. I know the boy that died at school was in a school for children with special needs. I do not have the resources to investigate his death. Most likely, this child was probably taking some type of psychostimulant medication. These types of drugs constrict the blood vessels causing the heart to over work itself, which causes the heart to scar and enlarges the heart that leads to the death of many children. This family and the public should know about the link between stimulant drugs, Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Dextrostat, ECT, Used for ADD and ADHD. I believe many grief stricken parents over look the link between these medications and death because they are lead to believe by doctors and the FDA these Cocaine like drugs are safe. Because Michigan is the only state in the US that has a law, stating if the FDA has approved a drug you cannot sue the drug makers. The family would have to file a lawsuit in the state the drug was manufactured. Since the death of our son Matthew, I have done extensive research into ADHD and the drugs used for treatment. I have testified twice in our state MI to have laws in place to protect families against the pressures and threats of child protective service for families that choose not to drug their children with lethal psychotropic medications that only mask learning and behavior difficulties. I have been to Washington DC and have had meetings with several members of congress and the US department of justice. New federal law outlaws schools from forcing parents and guardians to drug their children with psychotropic drugs On December 3, 2004, the individuals with disabilities education improvement Act, President Bush signed (IDEA) into law. Incorporated within this Act is the Prohibition on Mandatory Medication Amendment. This new law prohibits schools from recommending or requiring that a child take a Controlled Substance (Includes all stimulants: Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Dextrostat, ect.) in order to attend school. I have been educating parents for about four years via the internet http://ritalindeath.com called “Death from Ritalin the Truth behind ADHD”. Top search keyword Ritalin I hope the media will take the time to look into this; this story could save the lives of many children. Sincerely, Lawrence Smith