Report Shows High Use of Psychotropic Drugs in Foster Care Kids (Florida)

[Judi Lynn]

Report Shows High Use of Psychotropic Drugs in Foster Care Kids
By Brendan Farrington Associated Press Writer
Published: Sep 11, 2003




TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A survey of foster children who were likely to have emotional problems showed that more than half were taking at least one psychotropic drug, including several preschoolers.

Out of 1,180 children reviewed, 652 of them - 55 percent - were on one or more psychotropic drugs, according to a report prepared by the Florida Statewide Advocacy Council. Seventeen of the children were aged 5 or younger, including two 1-year-olds and four 2-year-olds.

"These records are cause for alarm because of the age of the children," the report said. "Diagnosing psychiatric illness in children below the age of six is difficult because of the child's inability to accurately and completely describe their feelings."

The Department of Children & Families said the survey is not representative of the all 15,000 children in foster care, but rather it sought out those that would be most likely to have major behavior problems. (snip/...)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGA6SL6EHKD.html