Foster kids over-prescribed ADHD drugs | Courier Mail

Foster kids over-prescribed ADHD drugs | Courier Mail

DAMAGING: Experts are concerned that children in foster care are being over prescibed ADHD drugs such as Ritalin. Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
TRAUMATISED children in state care are missing out on crucial counselling and other services, says the peak body for child protection in Queensland.

PeakCare executive director Gail Slocombe said the lack of support could be fuelling the high level of ADHD medication among kids under government guardianship.

The Sunday Mail last week reported that the rate of medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among young people in foster homes is more than double the general population.

And the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian has raised alarm that many children under six - some as young as one - are being given the powerful drugs against the advice of the manufacturers.

Ms Slocombe says desperate carers may be turning to medical solutions because there is insufficient access to services such as counselling and remedial education.



"There's a need for any child coming into the care system to have good psycho-social assessment and treatment," she said.

"By the time they get into the care system, they need services that will begin to undo the damage done by the issues in their family that brought them to the system or the trauma of being removed."

But the demand from the growing number of children in care meant it was often difficult to get suitable help.

"I find it very difficult to think there would be a situation where adults who have enough support would need to contemplate behaviour modification or psyotropic drugs," said Ms Slocombe.

"But if you are a parent without a lot of suppport and this very young child is not sleeping, is running around in danger of hurting themselves or others and there does not seem to be any other way and a doctor says 'this might help' they would take medical advice."

Child Safety MInister Phil Reeves said: "The Government does not prescribe any medication. The diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition must be made by a qualified doctor.

"The Government's role is to ensure children and young people in care have access to health services."

But Youth Affairs Network of Queensland director Siyavash Dhoostkhah says the minister is failing in his duty of care to vulnerable children by allowing the high use of medications among young children despite manufacturers' recommendations.

Adelaide Women and Children's Hospital head of psychological medicine Dr Jon Jureidini, a campaigner against the over-prescription of ADHD drugs, agrees.

"The government is completely responsible. Would you let a medical practitioner make whatever decision they wanted for your child?"

Dr Jureidini said there was no evidence of ADHD mediciation having long-term benefits and there could be dangers for young children.

"The brain is still developing and we know these drugs have an impact on neural growth."