It is already disturbing enough how easy it is for a child or teen to get an ADHD diagnosis, and the resulting prescription of amphetamines. Simply walking into a clinic and describing hyperactivity and an inability to concentrate will almost always result in such a diagnosis. Now, however, those prescribed might be given their drugs in the form of candy, making it even easier for them to start using and abusing.
There is now a new drug on the market called Adzenys, according to Stat News. This drug is as strong as Adderall, and comes in a tasty, fruity, chewable form. It was approved by the FDA for children six years and older, and comes in six different dose strengths.
Not only is it ridiculous that the FDA still can’t approve any cannabis medications, as cannabis is a Schedule I substance, and turn their backs on a lot of alternative medicines, this drug is already raising some serious eyebrows, even within the medical community, amongst those who normally subscribe fully to the tenants of Western medicine.
Dr. Mukund Gnanadesikan, who currently works as a child and adolescent psychiatrist in California, told Stat News that he feels the substance is “a recipe for people to request it and then sell it” because of its chewable and tasty perks.
“I’m not a big fan of controlled substances that come in forms that can be easily abused — and certainly a chewable drug falls into that category,” he added.
Meanwhile, CEO of the company behind Adzenys, Neos Therapeutics based out of Dallas, has stated that the company is “launching now at full speed” to get “ahead of back-to-school season.” He also added that the company was having “no problem” meeting with interested doctors who want to prescribe the medication.
However, this is especially alarming when 75 percent of the children diagnosed with ADHD are on medication. Even if the number of diagnoses are all legitimate, it is still advisable in most psychiatry circles to try behavior modification without drugs before adding pharmaceuticals into the mix. It seems that many parents are eager to jump to the nuclear option when they think their child is overactive – but at a higher cost than just their medical bills. If this trend continues, especially with this new and harmful drug in the mix, this new generation could have more amphetamine addicts than ever before.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2016/05/23/adhd-drug-concerns/, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/experts/exist.html
