Popular on Rezul
- DimHum Launches Revolutionary CrowdShipping Service
- Corner Property Management Selected as New Management Company for Orange COA
- Inked & Maxim Model Teisha Mechetti Turns Heads—And Builds Community Impact
- Pyro Marketing Opens New Digital Marketing Company to Power Growth for Fitness and Ecommerce Brands
- Cynthia Pinot Among Artists Selected for Renowned London Art Biennale 2025
- Kramer Real Estate: The Boutique Brokerage Quietly Taking Over North Texas
- EveryAge Communities Weather the Storm with Strength
- Top "We Buy Houses" Companies in Oakland, CA Announced — JiT Home Buyers Leads the Pack in 2025
- $17.4 Million Total Revenue for First Half of 2025 (up 31.8% YOY) for Global Wet Trades Services Provider with High Value Bitcoin Investments
- AI Innovation Dual-Strategy Business Model Focused on Real Estate Development for Strategic Expansion: OFA Group, (N A S D A Q: OFAL)
Similar on Rezul
- Introducing Lick Scented Bath Oils: Transform Your Bath into a Luxurious Escape
- Voices Across the Men's Health Network:
- Rocket.Chat assessed "Awardable" for Department of Defense work in the CDAO's Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace
- Rising Conservative Star Jordan Brace Emerges as Influential Political Voice with Elite Washington Connections
- Conservative Latinos for PA Shaping the Future of Hispanic Community, Guest State Treasurer Stacy Garrity
- David M. White, DDS Celebrates 500 Five-Star Reviews in Reno
- SpaceWERX selects New Frontier Aerospace to Develop Bifröst Orbit Transfer Spacecraft
- Postmortem Pathology Offers Expert Autopsy Services with Dignity and Accuracy
- Private Autopsies Provide Families in Colorado with Answers and Closure
- Qualis LLC Appoints Jeremy Mallicoat as Chief Financial Officer to Advance Growth and Acquisition Strategy
CCHR Warns: Millions of Children Exposed to Risky Psychiatric Drugs
Rezul News/10703914
Watchdog group urges sweeping reforms after HHS exposes mass drugging, industry ties, and diagnostic inflation behind youth psychiatric drug prescriptions.
LOS ANGELES - Rezul -- A federal assessment of children's health has identified the widespread prescribing of psychotropic drugs to U.S. youth as a "public crisis" driven by industry profit motives, flawed science, and systemic conflicts of interest. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that stimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety drugs were leading the surge.[1] According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR), a mental health industry watchdog, this is fueling a psychotropic drug market that reaps $22.6 billion annually.
CCHR advised parents to become better informed about the risks of psychotropic drugs, including benzodiazepines or anti-anxiety drugs prescribed to children. CCHR offers a 16-page educational booklet, Psychiatric Drugs & Your Child's Future, and the documentary Dead Wrong, which features bereaved parents who lost children to psychiatric drug effects, especially antidepressants—black box-warned for suicide in 2004, more than 15 years after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
HHS reported that prescriptions for stimulants rose 250% between 2006 and 2016. By 2022, 11% of all children—and nearly 25% of boys—had a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), despite no medical test to confirm the behavioral symptoms. Long-term trials of ADHD drugs show no academic, behavioral, or social benefit beyond 14 months—and a loss of height averaging one inch. Teen use of antidepressants increased 1,400% between 1987 and 2014, and over 2 million prescriptions were written for adolescents in 2022 alone.[2]
Antipsychotic drug use among children grew 800% between 1995 and 2009, with 66% prescribed off-label—including for ADHD and "aggression." Antipsychotics in adolescent boys may cause up to 5x more gynecomastia (male breast growth); 4x more extrapyramidal effects (movement disorders); and 6–8x more weight gain than placebo. Meanwhile, serious side effects—including seizures, cardiac issues, male breast growth, and prolonged withdrawal syndromes—are widely documented.[3]
More on Rezul News
CCHR, which has tracked what it calls mass-prescribed drug child abuse since its founding in 1969, said the situation is even more dire than the HHS report reveals. Using data from IQVia's Total Patient Tracker Database for 2020, CCHR found:
Combined, over 6.1 million children and teens were drugged—representing more than 8.2% of the U.S. youth population.[5]
Psychotropic polypharmacy is especially prevalent among youth covered by Medicaid. A 2024 study found a rise in multiple drug use in this group, increasing the risk of adverse medical outcomes. Researchers reviewed 126,972 Medicaid recipients who had received at least one psychotropic drug and had continuous coverage for 90+ days. The prevalence of polypharmacy rose from 4.2% in 2015 to 4.6% in 2020, with higher rates among those in foster care (10.8% to 11.3%), the Children's Health Program (2.2% to 2.8%), and low-income households (2.1% to 2.8%).[6]
The problem is exacerbated by drug misuse. In 2018, almost 16% of U.S. college students said they misused prescription stimulants.[7] A 2023 survey of college students who reported using prescription stimulants revealed that about 21.7% had taken a higher-than-prescribed dose in the past three months.[8] Many students mistakenly believe one ADHD stimulant to be no more harmful than coffee, assuming it is safe because it's prescribed by doctors.[9]
Youth drug overdoses on prescription drugs is also a serious risk. In 2019, 4,777 U.S. youth died from drug overdoses; 727 involved benzodiazepines and 902 involved psychostimulants. In 2020, 2,928 nonfatal benzodiazepine overdoses were reported among youth aged 15 to 24. Among these, 29% had a prescription in the previous month and 42% within six months. Intentional overdoses were more likely among those with recent prescriptions. Fifty-six percent of benzodiazepine overdoses were intentional compared with 40% of stimulant overdoses.[10]
The FDA issued a black box warning in 2020 for benzodiazepines, citing "risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death."[11]
A 2022 study in Pediatrics found that a quarter of insured teens who overdosed on anxiety or ADHD drugs had received a recent prescription.[12]
More on Rezul News
HHS linked the rise in drug use to broadened diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), expanded in 2013 by panels with financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. This contributed to a 40-fold increase in childhood diagnoses such as ADHD and bipolar disorder. Yet, no psychiatric-defined disorder meets the scientific definition of a disease. Former U.S. National Institute of Mental Health Director Thomas Insel stated: "Unlike our definitions of ischemic heart disease, lymphoma, or AIDS, the DSM diagnoses are based on a consensus about clusters of clinical symptoms, not any objective laboratory measure."[13]
CCHR, established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz, has achieved significant reforms in this area, including a 2004 federal law prohibiting schools from forcing students onto psychotropic drugs as a requisite for their education. Jan Eastgate, president of CCHR International, said: "Profit-driven psychiatry is putting children at risk with no science to justify diagnoses or drugs." CCHR stresses that the nation's child mental health system requires a complete overhaul—eliminating treatments that expose children to suicide, addiction, physical harm, and institutional profiteering.
Sources:
[1] "Making Our Children Healthy Again," Make America Healthy Again Commission, 22 May 2025, p. 54
[2] "Making Our Children Healthy Again," pp. 16-17
[3] "Making Our Children Healthy Again," pp. 54-56
[4] www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/children-on-psychiatric-drugs/
[5] www.childstats.gov/AMERICASCHILDREN/tables/pop1.asp
[6] "Psychotropic Polypharmacy Trends Rise Among Child, Adolescent Medicaid Beneficiaries," Psychiatric Times, 21 May 2024
[7] news.osu.edu/misuse-of-stimulants-remains-a-top-concern-on-college-campuses/
[8] www.statista.com/statistics/1125729/us-college-student-prescription-stimulant-overuse/
[9] "Are You Surprised By the 4 Most Abused Study Drugs?" Detox.com, 28 Feb. 2018
[10] www.clinicaladvisor.com/news/teens-overdosing-prescribed-anxiety-adhd-medications/; pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9097826/
[11] www.cchrint.org/2023/08/30/mental-health-watchdog-highlights-global-benzodiazepine-risks/; "FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. Includes potential for abuse, addiction, and other serious risks," FDA, 23 Sept. 2020
[12] publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/4/e2021055226/185226/Benzodiazepine-and-Stimulant-Prescriptions-Before
[13] "The NIMH Withdraws Support for DSM-5," Psychology Today, 4 May 2003
CCHR advised parents to become better informed about the risks of psychotropic drugs, including benzodiazepines or anti-anxiety drugs prescribed to children. CCHR offers a 16-page educational booklet, Psychiatric Drugs & Your Child's Future, and the documentary Dead Wrong, which features bereaved parents who lost children to psychiatric drug effects, especially antidepressants—black box-warned for suicide in 2004, more than 15 years after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
HHS reported that prescriptions for stimulants rose 250% between 2006 and 2016. By 2022, 11% of all children—and nearly 25% of boys—had a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), despite no medical test to confirm the behavioral symptoms. Long-term trials of ADHD drugs show no academic, behavioral, or social benefit beyond 14 months—and a loss of height averaging one inch. Teen use of antidepressants increased 1,400% between 1987 and 2014, and over 2 million prescriptions were written for adolescents in 2022 alone.[2]
Antipsychotic drug use among children grew 800% between 1995 and 2009, with 66% prescribed off-label—including for ADHD and "aggression." Antipsychotics in adolescent boys may cause up to 5x more gynecomastia (male breast growth); 4x more extrapyramidal effects (movement disorders); and 6–8x more weight gain than placebo. Meanwhile, serious side effects—including seizures, cardiac issues, male breast growth, and prolonged withdrawal syndromes—are widely documented.[3]
More on Rezul News
- Bent Danholm To Be Featured On Global Podcast Network In Live Interview
- AdvoCast Expands Leadership in Strategic Comms with New Role Producing "Communication Breakdown" Podcast
- Sonnenblick-Eichner Arranges $22.6 Million Loan to Refinance Hotel on San Antonio's River Walk
- Rocket.Chat assessed "Awardable" for Department of Defense work in the CDAO's Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace
- Exclusive Insights Await at The Family Office Real Estate Institute's 3rd Annual Conference
CCHR, which has tracked what it calls mass-prescribed drug child abuse since its founding in 1969, said the situation is even more dire than the HHS report reveals. Using data from IQVia's Total Patient Tracker Database for 2020, CCHR found:
- 3.1 million 0–17-year-olds were prescribed ADHD stimulants,
- 2.15 million were on antidepressants,
- 1.15 million were taking anti-anxiety drugs, including highly addictive benzodiazepines, and
- 829,372 were prescribed antipsychotics known to cause neurological damage.[4]
Combined, over 6.1 million children and teens were drugged—representing more than 8.2% of the U.S. youth population.[5]
Psychotropic polypharmacy is especially prevalent among youth covered by Medicaid. A 2024 study found a rise in multiple drug use in this group, increasing the risk of adverse medical outcomes. Researchers reviewed 126,972 Medicaid recipients who had received at least one psychotropic drug and had continuous coverage for 90+ days. The prevalence of polypharmacy rose from 4.2% in 2015 to 4.6% in 2020, with higher rates among those in foster care (10.8% to 11.3%), the Children's Health Program (2.2% to 2.8%), and low-income households (2.1% to 2.8%).[6]
The problem is exacerbated by drug misuse. In 2018, almost 16% of U.S. college students said they misused prescription stimulants.[7] A 2023 survey of college students who reported using prescription stimulants revealed that about 21.7% had taken a higher-than-prescribed dose in the past three months.[8] Many students mistakenly believe one ADHD stimulant to be no more harmful than coffee, assuming it is safe because it's prescribed by doctors.[9]
Youth drug overdoses on prescription drugs is also a serious risk. In 2019, 4,777 U.S. youth died from drug overdoses; 727 involved benzodiazepines and 902 involved psychostimulants. In 2020, 2,928 nonfatal benzodiazepine overdoses were reported among youth aged 15 to 24. Among these, 29% had a prescription in the previous month and 42% within six months. Intentional overdoses were more likely among those with recent prescriptions. Fifty-six percent of benzodiazepine overdoses were intentional compared with 40% of stimulant overdoses.[10]
The FDA issued a black box warning in 2020 for benzodiazepines, citing "risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death."[11]
A 2022 study in Pediatrics found that a quarter of insured teens who overdosed on anxiety or ADHD drugs had received a recent prescription.[12]
More on Rezul News
- Rising Home Values Aren't Preventing Foreclosures
- Success for Global Communications Leader IQSTEL, Inc. Growing From $13 Million Revenue in 2018 to Nearly $300 Million Last Year
- Artbound: "The Cheech" Awarded Two 2025 LA Area EMMY Awards — Honored in ARTS & MUSIC COMPOSITION
- Rising Conservative Star Jordan Brace Emerges as Influential Political Voice with Elite Washington Connections
- Idaho Named One of the Happiest States to Retire In, With Treasure Valley Leading the Way
HHS linked the rise in drug use to broadened diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), expanded in 2013 by panels with financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. This contributed to a 40-fold increase in childhood diagnoses such as ADHD and bipolar disorder. Yet, no psychiatric-defined disorder meets the scientific definition of a disease. Former U.S. National Institute of Mental Health Director Thomas Insel stated: "Unlike our definitions of ischemic heart disease, lymphoma, or AIDS, the DSM diagnoses are based on a consensus about clusters of clinical symptoms, not any objective laboratory measure."[13]
CCHR, established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz, has achieved significant reforms in this area, including a 2004 federal law prohibiting schools from forcing students onto psychotropic drugs as a requisite for their education. Jan Eastgate, president of CCHR International, said: "Profit-driven psychiatry is putting children at risk with no science to justify diagnoses or drugs." CCHR stresses that the nation's child mental health system requires a complete overhaul—eliminating treatments that expose children to suicide, addiction, physical harm, and institutional profiteering.
Sources:
[1] "Making Our Children Healthy Again," Make America Healthy Again Commission, 22 May 2025, p. 54
[2] "Making Our Children Healthy Again," pp. 16-17
[3] "Making Our Children Healthy Again," pp. 54-56
[4] www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/children-on-psychiatric-drugs/
[5] www.childstats.gov/AMERICASCHILDREN/tables/pop1.asp
[6] "Psychotropic Polypharmacy Trends Rise Among Child, Adolescent Medicaid Beneficiaries," Psychiatric Times, 21 May 2024
[7] news.osu.edu/misuse-of-stimulants-remains-a-top-concern-on-college-campuses/
[8] www.statista.com/statistics/1125729/us-college-student-prescription-stimulant-overuse/
[9] "Are You Surprised By the 4 Most Abused Study Drugs?" Detox.com, 28 Feb. 2018
[10] www.clinicaladvisor.com/news/teens-overdosing-prescribed-anxiety-adhd-medications/; pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9097826/
[11] www.cchrint.org/2023/08/30/mental-health-watchdog-highlights-global-benzodiazepine-risks/; "FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. Includes potential for abuse, addiction, and other serious risks," FDA, 23 Sept. 2020
[12] publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/4/e2021055226/185226/Benzodiazepine-and-Stimulant-Prescriptions-Before
[13] "The NIMH Withdraws Support for DSM-5," Psychology Today, 4 May 2003
Source: Citizens Commission on Human Rights International
0 Comments
Latest on Rezul News
- How smart women use BAY Miner cloud mining to easily earn Bitcoin every day
- Qualis LLC Appoints Jeremy Mallicoat as Chief Financial Officer to Advance Growth and Acquisition Strategy
- Bynn Intelligence Reinvents Document Fraud Detection with Groundbreaking Acquisition and Revolutionary AI Model
- 2A Commerce Launches Firearms eCommerce Platform
- David Weekley Homes' Grandview Terrace Coming Soon to Georgia's City of Canton
- 4Closure Rescue Expands Foreclosure Support Services to Underserved Communities Across the U.S
- Mesa West Capital Originates $55 Million Loan to Refi Los Angeles Luxury Hotel
- Exposing Psychiatric Abuse, CCHR Has Pushed for Global Human Rights Protections
- RDG Mining launches 1-day XRP、BTC mining contract, XRP short-term investment users surge 500%
- Donna Cardellino and Paul Lafrance Sign Exclusive Deal for Worldwide Expansion into Commercial and Luxury Real Estate Design Projects
- New Book "Three Permissions" Redefines Self-Leadership for a Burnout-Weary Culture
- Now Recruiting: Florida Referral Agents Ready to Earn with Freedom and Flexibility
- Opening a new era of USDC smart cloud mining: CJB Crypto makes digital dollar earnings within reach
- Allegiant Management Group Named Bronze Winner in Orlando Sentinel's 2025 Central Florida Favorites
- The Evolution of the BDCV Platform: Empowering Mental Health & Wellness
- Philadelphia HVAC Company Bypasses Paid Search Ads, Citing Cost Savings for Customers
- Block AI Labs Empowers Startups with Affordable, AI-Driven Software Development from U.S. and Colombia Ask ChatGPT
- Apartments Near Me Delivers Full‑Interior Revamp at Summit Park Apartments,
- Denver Landscape Construction: Phase One Landscapes Enhances Site Page for Custom Outdoor Living
- 4Closure Rescue Launches National Program to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure