Child-welfare panel: Drugs misused on foster kids

Florida’s mental health system for foster kids relies far too often on drugs, with little oversight, according to a draft report on the suicide of 7-year-old Gabriel Myers.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1183698.html

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER

cmarbin@MiamiHerald.com

Admitting for the first time what critics have claimed for years, state child-welfare authorities say caregivers for children in state custody frequently use powerful mind-altering drugs to manage unruly kids, rather than treat their anger and sadness.

Regarding Florida Foster Care children, 2009

Many of you may have been watching the Florida newspapers recently and seen the article that spoke about two parents who just adopted two children.  They came forward on the day that Governor Crist was talking about adoption.  The two parents were appalled at how many psychotropic drugs the children were on when adopted.  If anyone has similar concerns, please contact our office at 800-782-2878 or email info@cchrflorida.org. (The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida).  Here is the article about these two parents and their children: http://www2.tbo.com:80/content/2009/jul/22/concerns-over-drugs-and-foster-children-cloud-adop/news-breaking/

Gov. Charlie Crist urged to stop ‘chemical restraint’ of foster kids

Gov. Charlie Crist urged to stop ‘chemical restraint’ of foster kids http://ping.fm/7ho8j

A pair of adoptive parents are urging Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers to stop the `chemical restraint’ of children in state care.

BY MARC CAPUTO

Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE — As Gov. Charlie Crist barnstormed the state to boast about record adoptions in Florida, two adoptive parents urged him Tuesday to go a step further and stop what they called the “chemical restraint” of over-medicated children in state care.