Fred A. Baughman, MD comments on: CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE HAS IT 17%--8.5 MILLION U.S. SCHOOLKIDS ON PSYCH DRUGS--ILLEGAL "PUSHERS" HAVE LOTS OF CATCHING UP TO DO House Told Schools Overuse Mood Drugs 6:45 am PST, 7 May 2003 http://7am.com/cgi-bin/catwire.cgi?POLITICS_1000_2003050703.htm Medical experts told a House panel Tuesday that too many children were being labeled with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
, and improperly placed on psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall to be "calmed down." Most experts say perhaps as many as 2 percent of schoolchildren are difficult to manage [Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
and could use the medication. But, they say, as many as 17 percent of school-aged children are on the mood-altering drugs, according to Dr. William B. Carey, director of behavioral pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. [Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
"Why is 80 percent of the world's methylphenidate being fed to American children?" Dr. Carey asked the House Education and the work force subcommittee on education reform. Congress has found that in a number of cases schools are requiring parents to have their children placed on the psychotropic drugs. Otherwise, schools would not allow the kids to remain in class. [Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
"However, these drugs have the potential for serious harm and abuse. They are listed on Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act," said Rep. Michael N. Castle, R-Del, the subcommittee chairman. "Drugs are placed on Schedule II when the drug has a high potential for abuse or may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence," Mr. Castle said. [Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
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