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Patron Meritorious
Geesh, no mention at all who the CCHR and what their agenda really are.
It's letter to the editor writing time!
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Drugs To Curb Childrens Behaviour Cause Concern (from Worcester News)
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/most...to_curb_childrens_behaviour_cause_concern.php
Drugs to curb children's behaviour cause concern
QUESTIONS have been raised over the number of children in Worcestershire being prescribed psychiatric drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Figures obtained by the Citizens Commission On Human Rights (CCHR), a psychiatric watchdog group, reveal that 7,760 prescriptions for ADHD drugs were given out across the county in 2005/06 at a cost of £364,000.
But the group says ADHD is a controversial psychiatric condition that's never been scientifically proven' and dubs the drugs, commonly known as the chemical cosh', as like a mental health Asbo' to curb poor behaviour.
It also points to drug alerts from regulatory agencies detailing the serious side effects of ADHD drugs which can include visual hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, psychotic behaviour, violence and aggression.
Brian Daniels, national spokesman for CCHR in the UK, said: "Psychiatric propaganda has thoroughly duped well-meaning parents, teachers and politicians alike that normal childhood behaviour is no longer normal - that it's a mental illness.
"Children end up believing they have something wrong with their brains that makes it impossible to control themselves without using a pill.
"While it cannot be denied that some children have problems learning in school, that some can be excessively active, argumentative and even disruptive, psychiatry's fixation on labelling such difficulties as a mental illness, or disorder is not only unscientific, but medical fraud."
But Dr Richard Harling, consultant in public health at Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said ADHD can have serious consequences for children, their families and carers.
He added: "It may lead to low self-esteem, emotional and social problems, and under-achievement at school. If it continues into adolescence and adulthood, it can cause ongoing social problems and may lead to drug misuse, unemployment and involvement in crime.
"A group of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants have been shown to be effective treatments for ADHD. The National Institute For Health And Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that if a child or adolescent needs treatment with medication for ADHD then these medicines should all be considered as possible choices.
"Treatment should only be started after a specialist who is an expert in ADHD has thoroughly assessed the child or adolescent and confirmed the diagnosis.
"Once treatment has been started it can be continued and monitored by a GP.
"Clinicians in Worcestershire work to the NICE recommendations to ensure that all children and adolescents get the care that they need."
11:03am Wednesday 31st January 2007
By Rebecca Bourne
It's letter to the editor writing time!
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Drugs To Curb Childrens Behaviour Cause Concern (from Worcester News)
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/most...to_curb_childrens_behaviour_cause_concern.php
Drugs to curb children's behaviour cause concern
QUESTIONS have been raised over the number of children in Worcestershire being prescribed psychiatric drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Figures obtained by the Citizens Commission On Human Rights (CCHR), a psychiatric watchdog group, reveal that 7,760 prescriptions for ADHD drugs were given out across the county in 2005/06 at a cost of £364,000.
But the group says ADHD is a controversial psychiatric condition that's never been scientifically proven' and dubs the drugs, commonly known as the chemical cosh', as like a mental health Asbo' to curb poor behaviour.
It also points to drug alerts from regulatory agencies detailing the serious side effects of ADHD drugs which can include visual hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, psychotic behaviour, violence and aggression.
Brian Daniels, national spokesman for CCHR in the UK, said: "Psychiatric propaganda has thoroughly duped well-meaning parents, teachers and politicians alike that normal childhood behaviour is no longer normal - that it's a mental illness.
"Children end up believing they have something wrong with their brains that makes it impossible to control themselves without using a pill.
"While it cannot be denied that some children have problems learning in school, that some can be excessively active, argumentative and even disruptive, psychiatry's fixation on labelling such difficulties as a mental illness, or disorder is not only unscientific, but medical fraud."
But Dr Richard Harling, consultant in public health at Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said ADHD can have serious consequences for children, their families and carers.
He added: "It may lead to low self-esteem, emotional and social problems, and under-achievement at school. If it continues into adolescence and adulthood, it can cause ongoing social problems and may lead to drug misuse, unemployment and involvement in crime.
"A group of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants have been shown to be effective treatments for ADHD. The National Institute For Health And Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that if a child or adolescent needs treatment with medication for ADHD then these medicines should all be considered as possible choices.
"Treatment should only be started after a specialist who is an expert in ADHD has thoroughly assessed the child or adolescent and confirmed the diagnosis.
"Once treatment has been started it can be continued and monitored by a GP.
"Clinicians in Worcestershire work to the NICE recommendations to ensure that all children and adolescents get the care that they need."
11:03am Wednesday 31st January 2007
By Rebecca Bourne
