|
By Elizabeth Millard
After hearing anecdotal evidence of the prevalence of psychotropic
drug prescriptions for children in state care, Massachusetts Representative
Marie Parente (D-Milford) has issued a call for more research into
the topic.
Parente has also made several other efforts to highlight the issue
of prescription frequency. More discussion by lawmakers and other
governmental representatives is expected this fall.
The representative's concerns were sparked by recent figures from
the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP), which is
contracted by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to provide
mental health coverage for children in foster care, guardianship
programs and some adoption cases. The MBHP noted that almost two-thirds
of children in DSS care received either inpatient or outpatient
mental health counseling.
When Parente asked to see figures indicating how many of those
children were prescribed psychotropic medication, she learned that
neither the MBHP nor the DSS keeps those records. "This is alarming,
for several reasons," Parente says. "Some of these drugs have very
serious side effects that can be unpleasant. It's important to know
what the effects on these children would be if they had prolonged
use of them."
As chairwoman of the state's special committee on foster care,
Parente is also concerned that medication is being given to children
who are displaying a normal level of anxiety in a stressful situation.
"Foster children in a new environment will exhibit certain types
of behavior," she says. "I'm concerned that this will be interpreted
as mental illness and they'll be unnecessarily medicated."
In an effort to get the issue addressed, Parente met with DSS Commissioner
Lewis Spence and Deputy Commissioner Susan Pederzoli. During the
meeting, Parente was alarmed when Pederzoli acknowledged that the
DSS frequently prescribes "drug cocktails" of more than one medication
for foster children. "I think that's been an easy way out," says
Parente, "to make up these cocktails in an effort to get the children
to behave how they want."
At the meeting's end, the DSS thanked Parente for bringing the
matter to light, and agreed to put together a report showing the
actual number of children using psychotropic medication and what's
being prescribed.
The state's Department of Mental Health (DMH) has also noted that
it's concerned about the mental health care that children in state
custody receive. However, DMH Chief of Staff Lester Blumberg added
that he doesn't share Parente's sense of alarm in terms of overmedication.
He says, "When you consider that the children in DSS custody are
often among the most traumatized kids in society, it's not surprising
that many would have serious mental health needs."
Blumberg says that the DMH's goal is to make sure that every child
is properly screened and treated with access to medication if it's
deemed necessary. The DMH has made a commitment to Parente to work
with Medicaid and the DSS to look at the data and ensure that prescribing
practices are consistent.
Blumberg says, "Within the next year to 18 months, we hope to have
some good solid understanding of where we are and begin making any
plans after that."
|
