The New "Lost Generation" - Drugs for hyperactive children soar

Selected quotes from this report

A lost generation of children are growing up taking powerful prescription pills.

Super-strength drugs to tackle a severe childhood behavioural condition are soaring on Tyneside.

According to new figures seen by the Chronicle, the number of youngsters on medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, has doubled in Newcastle over the last two years.

Other areas are seeing an increase in the prescribing of strong stimulants such as Ritalin, Modafinil, and Dexedrine, as well as antidepressant Atomoxetine – which can all counteract hyperactivity.

The figures show prescriptions in the Newcastle Primary Care Trust area alone shot up from 2,284 in 2005-06 to 4,073 in 2006-07.

In North Tyneside, prescription numbers exploded from 528 in 2005/06 to 2,367 in 2006/07.

Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham City also saw an increase in the number of prescriptions.

Children as young as six could be getting the drugs, and the rise in prescriptions has been blasted by a psychiatric health watchdog, the Citizens’ Commission on Human Rights, which claims children are being “drugged into submission”.

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It is estimated that ADHD drugs cost the Newcastle PCT alone more than £198,000 in the past year and some argue they are not necessary and could even harm a child.

Brian Daniels, from the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, said: “Children do experience problems and upsets in life that may result in mental troubles.

“But to represent that these troubles are caused by chemical imbalances or incurable brain diseases that can only be alleviated with dangerous drugs is dishonest, harmful and often deadly.

“They mask the real cause of problems in life and debilitate the individual, so denying him or her the opportunity for real recovery and hope for the future.”

Mum Deborah Bennett, from Washington, has decided against drugs to treat her nine-year-old son Jack’s ADHD, despite being offered Ritalin and a way to cope with his uncontrollable behaviour.

Jack, a pupil at Maplewood School in Sunderland, which specialises in helping children with conditions such as ADHD, is prone to uncontrollable swearing and aggressive outbursts towards other children, and can seldom be left alone.

Deborah, 38, said: “I was worried about the effects drugs would have on him because sometimes they can make the children seem like zombies.

“Although the summer holidays are coming up and I’m concerned about how I’ll manage his behaviour, I won’t go for drugs – and I only would as a very last resort.”

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Of course they try to put a cheery face on it all.