DRUGS AND CHILDREN

Early day motion 743, tabled 12 October 2005 by Paul Flynn (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House is alarmed at the huge increase in the use of powerful drugs on children to treat so-called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; believes that the 180-fold increase in the use of Ritalin in the past 14 years is principally the use of a chemical cosh to curb the normal exuberance of children; notes the warning of drug regulators in the UK and US that the drug Strattera may increase suicide attempts in children; is concerned that the Department of Health's sponsored National Attention Deficit Disorder body is funded by three pharmaceutical companies that market Ritalin and Strattera and acts as a propaganda mouthpiece for promoting drug use; further notes the evidence that the use of psychotropic drugs has been scientifically proved to be clinically and ethically unsupportable because of their high risks and lack of utility; and calls on physicians to use alternative non-drug strategies.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 4, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 1.