Visual artist David Tully writes:

Over the weekend I was in a will i/won’t I mood, about going to see a possible art residency (for myself) in the midlands. Tiny, remote place, outside Portlaoise

Decided to go, Feck it. They had an Art opening. Discovered a new-ish Art Building attached to a new-ish refurbished library. Wondering around, I notice this leaflet (above).

Took it down, quickly taking a crappy iPhone picture.

I know it’s Summer. No one is in the mood really for issues (I suggest generally). But this. I Knew it was only a matter of time.

Background, I spent a long time in the States. For some reason or another I become aware of the whole ADHD thing. Guess thru listening to Gary Null, health radio, PBS, activist guy (see Prescription For Disaster). Started talking to my immediate friends. Learning this wasn’t some abstract thing.

One friend “yeah I was medicated from 10 to 14”. Another friend, a computer scientist, in Brooklyn. Called to the school. The teacher says (usual line) “We haven’t the extra time+staff+resources to deal w/ your energetic kid” (nutshell) “either new school or medicate”.

Most parents. Tired. Economically challenged. Daunted by upheaval of a new school. Unaware. Quiet life. Give in. My friend brought his kid to a top child psychologist slash doctor in Manhattan. Upshot, absolutely nothing wrong w/ him. My ex-girlfriend’s sister. After a school recommendation. Same line. But they’ve started to medicate Priel, she’s eight. To the total shock upset anger of the rest of her family.

So I did a project (above) on the BigPharma bull that is ADHD. In the mid 2000s. Not that I make issuey Art. But this particularly incensed me. Why, because if I grew up in America. Chances are I would have been been medicated.

Returning to Ireland. Having a Cork girlfriend. Discover BigPharma’s cosy quiet little operation outside Cork. All the big Pharma Giants. Knowing what I know. I think. Have they started lobbying local GPs to prescribe. Lobbying teachers to suggest help. Lobbying Colleges, academic papers, reports. Or whatever’s the equivalent of the FDA here.

Or maybe they’re just staying quiet. And God knows what Erin Brockovich polluting activity is going to on, in the water, outside Cork.

So this little A3. (above) w/ it’s colourful, child friendly sweet graphics. On a notice board in a little library. And the library is very Family-ish more so than anything. Well, alarm bells went off.

It means, someone somewhere has decided now is the time to peddle this evil in Ireland. And maybe start off, off the radar, in middle Ireland. Where you can bet two things. Sure as fupp. They don’t know anything about BigPharma in this little place. And Two. Cutting to the chase. ADHD. Is just bullshit. There’s zero science behind it, How is it? outta no where. A 100% ADHD spike diagnosis since early 90s.

This little A3, isn’t an accident. Far from benign. Its a campaign. It’s strategy.

FIGHT!