DRUGS AND CHILDREN

Motion Text

That this House is alarmed at the huge increase in the use of powerful drugs on children to treat so-called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; believes that the 180-fold increase in the use of Ritalin in the past 14 years is principally the use of a chemical cosh to curb the normal exuberance of children; notes the warning of drug regulators in the UK and US that the drug Strattera may increase suicide attempts in children; is concerned that the Department of Health's sponsored National Attention Deficit Disorder body is funded by three pharmaceutical companies that market Ritalin and Strattera and acts as a propaganda mouthpiece for promoting drug use; further notes the evidence that the use of psychotropic drugs has been scientifically proved to be clinically and ethically unsupportable because of their high risks and lack of utility; and calls on physicians to use alternative non-drug strategies.