This is  a  list of just some of the facts I dug up this week about drugs, drug companies, and society.

QUICK FACTS

One million children in the US were reported taking anti-depressants in 1999 — including mint flavoured Prozac.

Suicide is a major complication of withdrawal from this stimulant and similar amphetamine-like drugs.

Children prescribed stimulants for ADHD are 46% more likely to commit a felony and 36% more likely to commit 2 or more felonies.

Today, more than 17 million children worldwide have been prescribed psychiatric drugs

Between 1995 and 1999, antidepressant use increased 580% in the under 6 population and 151% in the 7-12 age group.

Between 1990 and 2000, 186 deaths were linked to Ritalin in the U.S. alone.

Eight out of 13 school shooters in the U.S. were taking antidepressants or stimulants at the time of the crime.

TOP 10 DRUGS PRESCRIBED FOR CHILDREN w/o LABELING FOR KIDS
# 6: Drug: Prozac
Condition: Depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder
Prescribed: 349,000 times to children under 16, including 3,000 times to infants under 1
#8. Drug: Zoloft
Condition: Depression
Prescribed: 248,000 times to children under 16
9. Drug: Ritalin
Condition: Attention deficit disorder, narcolepsy
Prescribed: 226,000 times to children under 6

Percentage of incoming undergraduates using psychotropic, mind-altering drugs:  40%

From 1992 – 2003, the abuse of psychotropic drugs grew at twice the rate of marijuana abuse; five times that of cocaine abuse; & 60 times that of heroin abuse.

90% of authors of clinical practice guidelines received research funding from, or acted as consultants to drug companies.

Percentage increase from 1985 – 1999 in stimulant psychotropic drugs prescribed to children: 327%

Percentage increase from 1991 – 2000 in stimulant psychotropic drugs prescribed to preschoolers between 2 & 4 years of age: 50%

The number of antidepressants prescribed annually for children under 19: 11 million

# The number of children diagnosed with “ADD/ADHD” & drugged in 1985: 500,000
# The number of children diagnosed with “ADD/ADHD” & drugged today: approximately 6 million

The approximate number of Americans that die annually from FDA approved drugs: 125,000