Children are now exposed to drugs are much as adults are. No, we are not talking about cocaine, marijuana or peyote that is available along the streets sold by drug peddlers themselves. We are talking about psychiatric drugs and stimulants that promise excellence in studies or sports or to address disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). These psychiatric drugs are prescribed to children usually by the permission of their parents, hoping that the drugs would give an edge over other kids their age or settle their hyperactive or overly-shy ways. What parents do not know though, is that these drugs cause extreme harm to their children.

Prescribed psychiatric drugs are given to over 20 million children worldwide, with over 9 million in the United States alone. Drugs like Ritalin and the recently produced Daytana promises to control kids diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by increasing activity in the central nervous system which makes kids more alert and attentive. While it successfully combats ADHD, the psychiatric drug causes over 18 other side effects ranging from mere annoyances such as acne problems and headaches to lethal and adverse side effects like suicidal thoughts and seizures. Studies have also shown that children who have taken Ritalin form some form of drug addiction and suffers an increased aggression towards others when the drug is withdrawn from their bodies.

It is indeed alarming to note that a high number of the recent school shootings committed by teens are those who have been prescribed and taking antidepressants or stimulant drugs. Not only does the child suffers suicidal thoughts upon withdrawal of the drug or during the process of taking the drug, the child has lesser control over their reactions and could harm other kids tremendously. The violent behavior induced by these drugs also causes manic depressive mood swings, hallucinations, heart attacks at a prematurely young age and diseases like diabetes.

Children are being targeted by psychiatrists and pharmaceutical companies because they provide a huge source of income to these individuals and corporations. They understand the parents bond and love towards their child and the willingness to spend money well beyond their limit to see their kids lead a normal and healthy lifestyle. This is one of the sole reasons why more and more psychiatric medication is being released for children. Psychiatric drugs that treat bipolar, ADHD and ADD for children rake in over $2500 every minute. The industry brings in over $3 billion of sales worldwide in treatment for ADHD alone. Parents should understand that these psychiatric drugs are not manufactured with the child’s safety or health in mind; they only wish to drive up sales and make a healthy profit for themselves each year.

Often times, behavioral problems or supposed psychiatric diagnoses are normal in the growth of children. Children are easily exposed to influences happening around them and the child will usually grow out of the behavioral problem in good time. Parents should avoid taking the opinion of a psychiatrist that immediately offers a psychiatric drug for their child and explore other options for a solution. Psychiatrists often misdiagnose patients and prescribing the wrong drug for a young child could expose him or her to great distress and cause permanent long-term damages to his or her health.

So, while it is important for parents to care about their children’s health, precaution must also take place so as to not cause drug related health issues to their children. Instead of using stimulants to attempt to improve a child’s focus in studies or psychiatric medicine to attend to disorders, try to avoid the use of drugs, find alternatives instead! More information is available at Citizens Commission on Human Rights (site:http://www.cchrint.org/) Also read the Shocking Facts about Psychiatric Medication