ADHD drugs ‘used to silence rowdy children’


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By Rebecca Smith
The Telegraph

The cost of pills given to children for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is set to spiral to £101 million by 2012, sparking fears that drugs could be used as an easy way of settling unruly youngsters, according to a report published today.


Up to 600,000 children in Britain are thought to have ADHD. Symptoms include an inability to concentrate.

The report published in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, showed that spending could rise from £24.4 million now to up to £101 million per year by 2012 if current trends continue.

Prof Michael Schlander, the author of the study, said: “The data suggests that the increase in prescribing is a correction of previous under-diagnosis.”

Dr Tim Kendall, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “Just because a child is hyperactive it doesn’t necessarily mean they need treatment.”

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