I worked with juveniles for years as a PO. Often the state ends up being the parent, when a juvenile ends up being adjudicated (in Oregon minors can not be convicted, only adjudicated) of a crime the parole/probation officer often ends up filling that role. I've sat in on more medical eval's then I can remember. Maybe in some great HMO or private insurance situation kids are given a full eval. by a physician and/or a psychiatrist. In the real world when the state or county are paying for it it's "wham, bam thank-you... here's an Rx. Have a nice day." Rest assured the "have a nice day" part is purely optional. I've seen Doc's and shrinks throw Ritalin and other such drugs at kids after speaking to them for less then 5mins and never even seeing their medical file. SSRIs or serotonin uptake inhibitors and dopamine reuptake inhibitors are other drug groups I've seen Rx'ed to kids without any real eval. During the late 80's and through most of the 90's it's was a dirty little secret. "Little Johnny's acting out in detention or school?" No problem. Set him up with Dr. Fellgood and he'll be happy and calm all day long. He may have a few tremors and suicidal thoughts, but other then that he'll be easy to manage. Especially if you sit him in front of a TV. Zoloft and the Simpson's, best babysitters ever.
I think things have gotten better, mostly due to studies like the ones BG cites. But I know from talking to ex-co-workers it's far from uncommon.
I agree. Saying these drugs aren't over rx'ed is completely ill informed.
Not are they only over Rx'ed but they're also Rx'ed for "off-label use."
Off Label Use