DRUGGING OUR KIDS
Which Drugs Really Matter?
Is Fentanyl really the biggest drug problem we have now? Sure, it kills people, but it’s avoidable. In 2021, 1500 kids under 20 died of fentanyl poisoning, and while that’s a large number, it is dwarfed by the numbers of children forced to consume ADHD medications. In 2022, 3.5MM children were on a variety of ADHD drugs, only some having behavior modification therapy as well or instead of medication. By the time they reach college, it is 1 in 3 children taking these meds. No, it won’t kill you. But it can have life-altering effects.
Prescription Overload
In almost every other situation (transgender treatment is the exception), doctors work closely with parents to decide on a medication, follow up with the impacts, both positive and negative, and work to wean a child off the medication when practical. Too few drugs are tested in teens or young children, so efficacy and safety are always an issue, which is why doctors are so cautious.
However, treating ADHD went differently. It looks, in retrospect, much like the opiate issue. “Miracle drugs” were offered to concerned parents and they jumped on these, to give their child some help. But sadly, the ability to “push” medicine went far beyond the doctor-parent relationship. Schools were empowered to “diagnose” the disorder, which led to bored, rowdy or fidgety kids to be diagnosed with a problem they didn’t have. School administrators were then empowered to force parents to put their children on drugs, or risk not being allowed back into class.
As an example, I had to babysit a kid with real ADHD at one point in my childhood. Yes, children did babysit, without permits, training or even, maturity. This poor kid acted as if he were on meth. He couldn’t stop, even when exhaustion thrashed him. He ran constantly and, yet, you could tell he didn’t want to be like that. He couldn’t stay focused on one thing. This is NOT what is happening in the schools. The children are: fidgeting, forgetting, bored, unable to finish a task, acting up, expressing frustration, organizing mischief, etc.
Note that boys more than girls tend to exhibit these traits, a likely consequence of developmental progress and hormone differences. Not surprising to my parents, I frequently got an A-8 in grammar school. The “8” meant misbehavior. I was bored and liked getting attention. Today, they would have insisted on drugging me, as I was hard to control. Somehow, teachers managed in the day, though I remember one teacher grabbing my hand as I signed to my friend. She said, “Is there no way to keep you from talking?” Anyone knowing me know that answer to that one. But she managed the situation without resorting to pharmaceuticals, which fortunately, weren’t available then.
Doctors tend to honor the schools’ request putting too many boys under strong drugs without a real diagnosis. Gifted children are often bored in class; with poor learners mixed in with those who are smarter, the lessons are dumbed down. These drugs don’t “cure” ADHD; they simply manage behaviors. There is no scientific proof.
As kids mature, they start relying on these drugs to have focus and do better in school. In fact, they are addicted. College really pushes the urge to drug up, as it is highly competitive and the workload can be immense. With some drugs, the addiction is physical as well as psychological. Life on the drugs is more exciting, and, even if you stop for a while, the zombie-period of forgetfulness seems worth it.
The Result
RFK, Jr. has pointed out the correlation between increases in school shootings and prescription levels. Sadly, you can’t get the medical records of those involved; they are being withheld.
If you’re on these drugs as an adult, there are professions that are closed to you. No one can be in the military, and we badly need more troops with the imminent threats the US faces. You cannot be an airline pilot. There are probably more.
While considered safe, stimulants affect appetite, so in girls, it can readily lead to anorexia. Sleep problems are common. Social withdrawal is often a factor, which is exacerbated by social media. As a drug wears off, you can become more active or experience some depression, have tics and may have growth delays. Some of these are tolerable with short-term or occasional use, but not for long-term use. I know people who have taken them since childhood and won’t stop as adults. Very few drugs can be taken for years without impacts.
Change Needed
We need to have studies done looking at all ages taking these drugs to determine long-term efficacy and side effects. Schools should not have the power to force prescribing. Doctors should hold that power with the full agreement of parents. And drug companies should be assessed for the bribes they may offer prescribing doctors, a big part of the problem with opiate abuse. We can turn this around. I function very well in adult society, despite the fact that I am still sometimes bored and can be prone to fidgeting. I have learned on my own to focus, complete tasks and more. Our boys can learn these things too, when their behavior is seen as normal, not an aberration.
We have been too prone to look for pharmaceutical answers, but will reap life-long impacts from over-prescribing. And for those jumping on the weight-loss drug bandwagon, watch out! Again, you are looking for the quick-fix and signing up for lifelong medication.
