Many youths incarcerated in juvenile facilities are getting potent anti-psychotic drugs intended for bipolar or schizophrenic patients, even when they have not been diagnosed with either disorder, reports Youth Today. State juvenile systems answered a survey on their use of these anti-psychotics – called “atypicals.” Only 16 states responded, meaning that a majority of states either would not or could not demonstrate that they were even monitoring the use of these medications on incarcerated juveniles
The atypical anti-psychotics were being used to treat a wide variety of diagnoses, including intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and even the more common attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Critics believe most of these diagnoses are simply a cover for the fact that prisons now use drugs as a substitute for banned physical restraints that once were used on juveniles who aggressively acted out. “Fifty years ago, we were tying kids up with leather straps, but now that offends people, so instead we drug them,” says Robert Jacobs, a former Florida psychologist and lawyer who now practices psychology in Australia. “We cover it up with some justification that there is some medical reason, which there is not.” Supporters of prescribing the atypicals believe using the drugs as sedation isn’t necessarily bad. “It prepares youth so they can respond to treatment,” says LeAdelle Phelps, a former juvenile facility director and adolescent psychologist. “By reducing aggression and by having calming, soothing effects,” the anti-psychotic makes residents “more malleable.”
Posted by Recep
Friday, April 27, 2012 06:58
We must get this under control as a naotin. I recently read a study done in 1991 projected there would be 11 million diabetics in the U.S. by 2030, and according to the ADA we have over 23 million diabetics in America. The study grossly underestimated the increase obesity. I walk every year at the JDRF walk in San Diego, although I’m not an employee of the Mayo Clinic. Please support JDRF everyone!Regards,Chris Huntley, Author of
Posted by Jacque
Saturday, October 02, 2010 09:19
My teenage son was given an injection of Prolixin (without my consent and without my sons consent) on May 31, 2010, while he was in the medical infirmary at the Pima County Adult Detention Center. He was injected in the late afternoon and around 1 in the morning of June 2, 2010, my son was found unconcious with no vitals. Who is accountable for this tragedy? When psych drugs are adminstered, aren’t the authorities/doctors supposed to be watching for side effects? Let me remind you all who are reading this….my son was on a 5 minute suicide watch which means they are supposed to be watching him every 5 minutes. Whats wrong with this picture? Why do Psychiatrists think they can push their authority and override a parents rights to their teens? My son went into this facility to right a wrong and was only spending 4 months there but it ended with a life sentence. My son passed away on June 11, 2010, after nine days of trying to revive him at U.M.C. My son was only 17.