NRA links school violence to Ritalin

Washington DC — The National Rifle Association’s incoming president has linked school shootings and other violence to using medications such as Ritalin.

Retired Lt. Col. Oliver North told “Fox News Sunday” that perpetrators of school violence “have been drugged in many cases” and “many of these young boys have been on Ritalin since they were in kindergarten.”

He also blamed a “culture where violence is commonplace,” pointing to TV and movies.

North’s comments followed the attack Friday at Santa Fe High School outside Houston that left eight students and two teachers dead.

Investigators have given no indication that they believe the 17-year-old suspect, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, used Ritalin, which treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or other drugs.

Pagourtzis’ attorney, Nicholas Poehl, said Sunday that he was not aware that his client was on any specific medication.

He said he was surprised that someone with North’s experience with the criminal justice system would “make those kind of generalizations with a case that’s less than 48 hours old.”

An NRA spokesman, Andrew Arulanandam, confirmed North was speaking on the organization’s behalf and said “there are others who share this viewpoint.”