Foster Care and Psychotropic Drugs

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/health/20150224/senate-panel-examines-why-california-foster-care-system-addicted-to-psychiatric-drugs

In California, 1/4 kids in out of home placement are on psychotropic drugs.  Many, if not most, of these kids are on drugs to control behavior not to mediate mental health concerns.  While this is startling, more so is the fact that most of the drugs being prescribed are anti psychotics that have incredible side effects and are not even approved for use in the child population.

There are several reasons for the over-dosage of minors in the foster system.  The most notable reasons are:

1. Money.  Drug companies offer monetary incentives including money, funding, meals, and trips to doctors who prescribe their products.  Additionally, one visit to a psychiatrist per month verses one visit to a counselor or social worker per week is cost effective for the state.

2. Lack of training.  Foster parents do not receive adequate training in order to address behavioral issues that often accompany their new foster child after leaving a traumatic situation.  Foster kids do not receive any training on how to engage in a new family and deal with their trauma.

3. Laws.  The current laws do not prevent or restrict the over-dosage of the kids, the lobbying by the drug companies, and the lack of accountability in the system.

As one former client of the system explained, these drugs are not treating trauma, they are placating kids so that they can be placed.  Hopefully, as this has again been brought to the forefront, California will address these exceptionally harmful medical practices.

Unfortunately,  these practices have continued to press on despite media coverage for the past decade.  California's system, like many others, moves excruciatingly slow leaving so many of our most vulnerable children in heinous situations that constantly re-traumatize them.