Fla Foster Children On Psych Meds cbs4

May 28, 2009
13 Percent Of Fla. Foster Children On Psych. Meds
CBS4

TALLAHASSEE — A new study from the Florida Department of Children and Families showed proper authorization was not obtained for 16 percent of Florida foster children who take anti-depressants and psychotropic drugs. The study was ordered after a 7-year-old boy committed suicide in Margate this year.

State records did not show the drugs he had been prescribed. The records also showed required consent had not been obtained from the boys parents or a judge.

The report showed that a total of 2,699, or 13.2 percent, of Florida children in out-of-home care have been prescribed at least one psychotropic medications. 59 percent of those children are between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.

73 children, or roughly 2.8 percent, who have been given psychotropic drugs are under the age of 5.

State records also showed that for 16.2 percent of the 2,669 children receiving psychotropic medicines, there was no authorization obtained.

DCF said it will be strengthening its reviewing of medications, conducting a weekly conference call about psychotropic meds, and other measures to better protect the children in foster care who receive psychotropic medications.

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Education

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• gabriel myers
• dcf

[MayorofC]

THESE DRUGS ARE KILLING PEAPLE