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A Medicated America

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A Medicated America
Rushing to Medicate Our Children Should children with ADHD be medicated? Many parents, physicians, and teachers may say yes, but I believe there are too many risks for children with ADHD to be medicated. Parents in America are often turning to medication as a first option for their children instead of seeking alternative methods of medication and therapy. The Food and Drug Administration reported that some 10.8 million prescriptions were dispensed for children with ADHD in 2002 (Roberts). Taking the appropriate and safe measures in helping children is a parent’s job. Pumping children with medication that will make them quiet and zoned out is irresponsible on the parent’s part. The FDA reported that between 1999 and 2003, 19 children died after taking prescription amphetamines, the medications used to treat ADHD. These are the same drugs for which the number of prescriptions written rose 500 percent from 1991 to 2000 (Roberts). Children with ADHD are being medicated unnecessarily now more than ever. A key problem is that there is no biological test or blood test that can identify the disorder. In many situations, children who are hyper and disruptive in school or have difficulties concentrating are diagnosed with ADHD. The reality is there are plenty of possible alternatives as to why children are behaving this way. The history of ADD/ADHD dates back to 19th century though the name has changed numerous times but the characteristics remained the same. In 1902, a German physician named Heinrich Hoffman spoke of a disease found in children that he claimed stemmed from a defect in their moral character. Hoffman stated that the problem resulted in the children’s inability to properly process and recognize rules and limits. This often would cause the children to express a behavior that was restless, inattentive, and overly excited. Another suggestion that Hoffman stated was that the children suffered from brain damage or possibly hereditary and environmental


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