I received this email from a friend. Before publishing it I wanted to check it out, so I visited the "Urban Legends Reference Page" at http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/dustoff.asp where they have verified the account, the names, the entire sad story. This event took place in Ohio, in the spring of 2005.

I wanted to pass it on to you, our readers, for your information and as a warning. I know that it has nothing to do with ADHD, but it has to do with children, and with life.

Many of you will remember that about two years ago we had a wonderful young girl from our community die at the age of 10 from the "choking game." Her parents are friends of mine and the pain that they suffered is beyond description.

I would like to live in a world where children and teens never died, and especially never died from seeking a ten second "high" or by playing with they thought was a cool "game."

May this letter below help to educate us all as parents. --- Dr. Doug Cowan

First, I'm going to tell you a little about me and my family. My name is Jeff. I am a Police Officer for a city which is known nationwide for its crime rate. We have a lot of gangs and drugs. At one point we were # 2 in the nation in homicides per capita. I also have a police K-9 named Thor. He was certified in drugs and general duty. He retired at 3 years old because he was shot in the line of duty. He lives with us now and I still train with him because he likes it. I always liked the fact that there was no way to bring drugs into my house. Thor wouldn't allow it. He would tell on you. The reason I say this is so you understand that I know about drugs.

Recently the staff at the ADHD Information Library was asked if children with ADHD were protected under the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. This parent wrote that if in fact ADHD was included in the Disabilities Act, then perhaps her child was "being discriminated against."

The answer to the question is somewhat long and complicated. So we will begin with writing that while someone with ADHD may qualify for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act, not everyone with the diagnosis of ADHD will qualify. And that may include you or your child.

Certainly parents want the very best for their children. And people tend to want everything that they feel that they are "entitled" to from the government. But sometimes we can expect too much from our public agencies, and sometimes we look to the wrong places for help. So let's examine the issue in detail.

The ADA and ADHD

The Americans with Disabilities Act was established by Congress in 1990. The purpose of the Act is to end discrimination against persons with disabilities when it comes to housing, education, public transportation, recreation, health services, voting, and access to public services. It also aims to provide equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

By Mo Ibrahim. Article appears courtesy of the Long Island Press.

Your kid feels like an outsider? She often has headaches? He's acting a bit moody? Not to worry, right? Sounds like every kid. These are not uncommon descriptions of elementary, middle school and high school students. But parents, be wary: These symptoms could very well be warnings of serious childhood or adolescent depression.

According to the "Report of the Surgeon General on Mental Health," 10 to 15 percent of American children and adolescents have at least a few symptoms of depression. That's about 7 to 10 million children.

In 2000, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds, as well as the third leading cause of death among 10- to 14-year-olds. Although an equal amount of prepubescent boys and girls suffer from depression, twice as many girls have depression after puberty. While depression in children and adolescents is not prevalent, it is something to look for. Treating your child now can help prevent full- blown adult depression later and, more important, save your child's life.

It's also important to note that depression is not about "feeling low." It goes much deeper than that.