Two 17-year-old male juveniles, both from Cookeville, were charged with possession of a schedule II Drug (Ritalin) and violation of the Drug Free School Zone Act after Monterey Police K-9 Officer Larry Bates made an investigation.

According to Officer Bates, he was patrolling the parking lot near the Dollar General Store, next to Whittaker Park and noticed the driver of a vehicle watching him closely.

Officer Bates said that the driver got out of the vehicle and his hat came off his head, but the suspect did not pick it up, and continued walking into the store.

Shortly, the driver and another suspect returned and got into the car and left.

Officer Bates noticed that the vehicle had a brake light and taillight out.

After passing the Monterey Branch Library, he stopped the vehicle in front of Monterey City Hall.

Receiving consent to search, Officer Bates alleges that he found a $10 bill rolled up laying in between the door and the seat.

The bill had a white powdery substance inside.

A field test that Officer Bates did tested positive for Cocaine. However, it turned out to be Ritalin.

Ritalin (methylphenidate), Bates found, is similar in nature to Cocaine. It is the most common drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder.

Over the past five years, ADHD prescriptions have increased over 600% and so has the incidence of snorting and injecting Ritilan.

The two suspects were taken to juvenile detention.