Wednesday, September 01, 2004

Push to Medicate ADHD Children Ignores Successes of Behavioral Treatments
University of Buffalo press release at Newswise - "Teachers nationwide say about five percent of children in their classrooms have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and they estimate another 5 percent have ADHD but are undiagnosed, according to a survey conducted by University at Buffalo graduate student Gregory Fabiano and William Pelham, Jr., UB distinguished professor of psychology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Many of these children likely will be placed on psychoactive medication by their family physician, often prompted by their child's school. For parents of children who will be diagnosed with ADHD during the upcoming school year, Pelham, a national authority on ADHD treatment, has this important message: There is an effective alternative to medication for treating ADHD."  
  

Alternatives pushed to aid troubled kids
Newsday story - "Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy yesterday proposed a new program aimed at keeping troubled youths out of institutions and group homes. By coordinating counseling services immediately after a crisis prompts parents to seek help for a child they believe is out of control, Levy said, he hopes to reduce the number of youths ending up in costly residential care. Levy said it would provide 'more effective and caring service, and it will also be more efficient and save money.'"  
  

Substance abuse grant is awarded (Texas)
Brownwood Bulletin story - "The Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse has awarded the Center for Life Resources a grant for $293,618 to provide substance abuse services to Brown, Coleman, Comanche, and Eastland counties. Dr. Bill Gustavus, director of the Outpatient Substance Abuse Program for the center, said the funds allow the center to expand its Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders (COPSD), and provides resources to operate outpatient treatment to youth and adults in these counties."  
  

MHC under review for alleged abuses (Missouri)
Story in the Marshall Democarat-News - "Due to a high incidence of abuse and neglect reports at the Marshall Habilitation Center, the Missouri Department of Mental Health will begin a review of safety and quality at the center Thursday, Sept. 2. Linda Roebuck, deputy director of the Department of Mental Health, will head the review, scheduled to look into adequacy of the facility's reporting on abuse and neglect allegations, staffing and professional support, involvement of parents and guardians in care, medical care and other aspects of care for the developmentally disabled residents of MHC..."