'NHS spending on 'chemical cosh' drugs to treat hyperactivity has soared by two-thirds to £31million in just four years, new figures revealed yesterday. Nearly 750,000 prescriptions are now being doled out every year for Ritalin and similar drugs - most of them to children.
The surge triggered concerns that children are being unnecessarily drugged as poor discipline is increasingly seen as a medical issue. Teachers warned today that prescribing calming drugs was often cheaper and easier than 'talking cures' and parenting support...Read more
