From a single School Board resolution, passed in Colorado in November of 1999, the actions of Mrs. Patti Johnson have created a vigorous and vital national debate in the education system.

The U.S. education system has been trampled upon since 1968, when the American Psychiatric Association added a category entitled "Behavior Disorders of Children and Adolescence" to its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Consequently, psychiatrists and psychologists were able to usurp the integrity of education, redining academic or behavioral problems as mental disorders, and replacing workable teaching methods with invasive psychological questionnaires, behavior modification programs and drugs. Unfortunately, the utter lack of scientific validity to so-called learning disorders has escaped the attention of many education authorities.

As a mother, Patti Johnson saw how this influence had turned our halls of learning into profitable mental health clinics. She made the only decision that someone with her level of responsibility could make. She successfully ran for the Colorado State Board of Education, becoming a member in January, 1995.

Mrs. Johnson has fought tirelessly for parents rights to informed consent regarding their children being given invasive psychological curriculums, assessments, and psychotropic drugs, and to maintain academic integrity. Then, in April 1999, Eric Harris turned Columbine High School into a battlefield. The evidence that emerged showed that Harris had been prescribed the antidepressant Luvox which can cause mania--including violent urges. The eyes of not just this nation, but countries around the world were on Colorado. Mrs. johnson redoubled her efforts.

Having received documented evidence and medical and scientific literature from CCHR (Citizens Commission on Human Rights) showing a causal link between psychiatric drugs and violence, coupled with her own research, she drafted a State Board of Education Resolution which targeted the lack of scientific validity of psychiatry's childhood behavioral and learning disorders, and warned of the dangers of the drugs that had been implicated in the Columbine and other school shootings.

CCHR, medical experts and other concerned groups testified in support of the Resolution. Opposing opinion was given equal time to respond.

However, psychiatrists and their front groups reacted as if theirlivelihood depended on it. Lacking any real means to refute Mrs. Johnson's evidence, they began a vicous personal attack based entirely on innuendo. This merely served to strengthen her resolve and persistence.

On November 11, the Colorado State Board of Education passed the resolution by a vote of 6 to 1, formally acknowledging the documented incidents of highly negative consequences from psychiatric drugs. The resolution urged all school personnel to use proven academic solutions to resolve behavior, attention and learning difficulties.

Like the safety valve on a steam engine, the publication of the resolution served to release the previously silent and pent-up frustration of thousands of parents and citizens across the nation. A flood of e-mails and letters were received in support of the historical decision. The Rocky Mountain News reported a 95% support rate in its reader poll.

National and international media covered the story including ABC National News, The Washington Post, Insight Magazine, Jewish World Review, the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times. Then in December, The National Association of State Boards of Education also issued a "Policy Update" that took up the issue and recognized that while Ritalin may be given for children diagnosed with "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" to prevent them from being "disruptive," they "are not learning any more effectively than before the drugs were prescribed." It highlights critical opinion against Ritalin and ADHD, including how Ritalin abuse is on the rise with black markets for Ritalin pills in schools "growing common." Also, "reports are increasing of students injecting and inhaling high doses of Ritalin, which is a highly addictive Class II drug (like cocaine), that can cause hallucinations, paranoia, convulsions, heart and respiratory problems, and in rare cases death"

Citing the Colorado Resolution, the Policy Update also recommended that School Boards should track the number of children being diagnosed with "ADHD." The number of American children labeled with "ADHD" has skyrocketed from 500,000 in 1998 to 4.4 million in 1997--a 780% increase. Production of Ritalin increased by 665% between 1985 and 1995 and prescriptions among schoolchildren have risen 600%.

Mrs. Johnson has unquestionably displayed great courage in her efforts and has set an example for parents across America who are now challenging mandated psychiatric drugs and psychological tests being given to schoolchildren.