ADHD drug overdose on the rise in U.S.

August 24, 6:05 PMNY Education ExaminerLorri Giovinco-Harte

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According to doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, calls to poison control hotlines about children between the ages of 13 and 19 overdosing on drugs to treat ADHD have increased by 76% over the last 8 years.

Reuters reports that Dr. Jennifer Setlik, along with other researchers, looked at information from the American Association of Poison Control Centers which spanned an eight year period and found a significant increase in calls regarding abuse of drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse.

Reporter Alan Elsner quotes Setlik as explaining:

"Clearly, we are seeing a rising problem with the abuse of these medications.  The findings suggest that more teens are abusing and misusing stimulant ADHD medications because they have access to those medications, not because a higher percentage of those treated have turned to abusing their medication."

Doctors are unclear about whether the increase in calls is due to "more abuse" or an increase in dangerous consequences of the drugs. 

Read more at Reuters.