Edinburgh-based charity the Overload Network has long campaigned for drug-free alternatives for the treatment of conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to be available on the NHS. It is concerned by the increase in prescriptions for amphetamines, anti-depressants and anti-psychotic drugs for children as young as two.
Methylphenidate, commonly sold in the UK as Ritalin, is only licensed for use in children aged six and above, but psychiatrists can prescribe it 'off-label' to younger children with parental consent. In 2001 the Network received 28,000 referrals from parents anxious about the use of Ritalin, a class B amphetamine, and its side effects.
Network chairman Jim Mackie criticised doctors for failing to offer alternative treatments for children. He said, 'Drugs only mask the symptoms. If they can write a prescription they don't want to know.'
The Overload Network is calling on the Scottish Executive to sanction the prescription of vitamin and herbal supplements for children. It claims that 95 per cent of the cases referred to them are caused by nutritional imbalance or food allergies. Mr Mackie said parents could buy a course of supplements, including vitamins, minerals and fish oils, which contain essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6, for 55 to 60 a month, compared with an estimated minimum cost to the NHS of 250 a month for treatments such as Ritalin.
The charity is also concerned about the implications of the proposed EU Food Supplements Directive, due to become law later this year, which could lead to a ban on hundreds of herbal medicines and restrict maximum dosage levels. Mr Mackie said this could include vitamin B6, which is used by Overload Network's specialists to treat ADHD.
The charity is also asking the Scottish Executive to investigate how NHS-prescribed drugs are stored and dispensed in schools, where it is common practice for those such as Ritalin to be administered by teachers.
It has called for only medically trained staff to be authorised to do this.
Mr Mackie said, 'Children are taught in school that drugs are bad, but they might have a two- or three-year-old brother or sister who has been prescribed amphetamines. They are getting mixed messages.'
The Overload Network, which was set up 20 years ago to provide an information and support service to the parents of children with learning and behavioural problems, is working with the Cactus Clinic at the University of Teesside in Middlesbrough to offer an holistic approach to treating ADHD. The service includes withdrawal from psychotropic drugs supported by individual programmes with psychologists, psychiatrists and nutritionists.