Why Are We Drugging Our Children?

Julian Weissglass wrote this interesting article… It is A study published in the June 2006 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry found that the use of anti-psychotic drugs to treat children and adolescents increased by more than five times from 1993 to 2002.  The number of children prescribed antidepressants has increased more than tenfold since 1987.  Psychiatric drugs are prescribed to 20 million children worldwide, 9 million in the United States.

These drugs potentially cause violent behavior, psychosis, hallucinations, strokes, heart attacks, overweight, life-threatening diabetes and even suicide.  Every 20 seconds a child in the United States takes an antidepressant so dangerous that the FDA has issued its strongest “black box” warning, alerting the public that these drugs can cause suicidal thoughts and actions.

In one state alone, more than 7,400 children prescribed these drugs under Medicaid were 5 years or younger, with nearly 2,000 aged 3 or under. Over 50% of the prescriptions were to treat conditions (ADHD)  for which these drugs are not FDA-approved.  Psychiatric drugs do not improve academic performance. The National Institutes of Health reports “There is little improvement in academic achievement or social skills” by children taking stimulant drugs.

The scientific basis for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is fraudulent. The Food and Drug Administration states, “There is no biological test for ADHD.” It was voted into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) by members of the American Psychiatric Association in 1987.  This has driven up sales of stimulants to treat ADHD to $3 billion a year.  Dr. William Carey, pediatrician with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, states, “The current ADHD formulation, which makes the diagnosis when a certain number of troublesome behaviors are present and other criteria met, overlooks the fact that these behaviors are probably usually normal.”

The other side of the coin,   Imaadelita wrote,  70% of the prison populations have been through Foster care.  80% of homeless are kids that have aged out of Foster care.  10.4 billion a year of our tax dollars are given to Foster care and Child Protective Services. And,  to add insult to injury they are prescribed psychotropics to reduce behavioral issues and be compliant in the homes in which they are placed as they suffer emotional separation from their siblings, abandonment and untold abuse(s).

Loserella55, commented “That is so disgusting.  Like that woman in the video said, being a victim doesn’t make you sick.” These kids need to learn that they are human beings who are worthy of love and can become anything they want to be, not labeled as mentally ill simply because they had a bad time in life. What can we do to change the system and  help children be prepare for emotionally healthy futures?