More Kids Using ADHD Drugs to Get High
August 31st, 2009 | 
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A study that analyzed calls to poison control centers found that calls related to Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication abuse rose 76 percent, from 317 to 581. The study will be published in the September issue of Pediatrics and was released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
ADHD affects between 8 percent and 12 percent of children and 4 percent of adults worldwide. According to the AAP, there has been a significant increase in the use of prescription stimulants to treat ADHD. The study, “Adolescent Prescription ADHD Medication Abuse is Rising Along With Prescriptions for These Medications,” analyzed the American Association of Poison Control Center’s National Poison Data System for the years 1998 to 2005 for all cases involving 13- to 19-year-olds who intentionally abused or misused ADHD prescription medication.
The study also notes that estimated prescription rates for teens and preteens increased 133 percent for amphetamine products, 52 percent for methylphenidate products, and 80 percent for both together. Although the majority of adolescents use their ADHD medication appropriately, study authors point out that the rise in abuse remained proportional to the availability of these medications.
For more information on youth drug abuse, visit www.navajocountydrugproject.com.
Posted in Public Service Announcements
What a shame. It is meant to help lives not tear lives apart. Children at my work on these types of medications are constantly monitored and medication is locked away. Parents should be keeping this medication out of their reach and locked away. Some children are so unstable without them and now the children that are abusing them are even more unstable. Some kids are getting these drugs from bullying the kids that are getting them perscribed and not taking their medication. Some buy them on the streets cause they are cheaper than crack/cocaine. What next will be drug of choice? :roll: