It must be pressure from the pharma companies. Our youngest grandson was diagnosed as borderline ADD -- and I mean borderline. If the diagnosis kicks in at, say, 70, he was 70 1/2 (I can't really remember the actual numbers). The neurologist strongly recommended medication!!!! I said "are you nuts? For a borderline case that doesn't even involve hyperactivity disorder?"

The minute you walk in the doctor's office they already have the script pad out.

Back in the 90's I worked for six Orthopedic surgeons. Anytime a patient came in for any kind of a leg pain, the doctors diagnosed the same and wrote out a scrip for the same meds. I was new to the office, but caught on quick, the pharmaceutical company was giving away free trips to places like Hawaii and the six doctors and their wives were taking turns on the vacations! This was when I lived in NY at the time, and the state caught on to the pharmaceutical compaies and made a law that they cannot promote trips for scripts.

I set my DVR for the full story they are going to air on 20/20 this Friday. I went to a conference sponsored by DCFS and I met another grandparent who by the way was a retired RN and she was raising her 3 GK's and she told me they were on all kinds of meds. I told her I will fight that route with all my might and go the holistic route! She told me this is how bad her daughter messed her GK's. Then, the end of our conference UCLA did their presentation regarding children exposed to alcohol and drugs and they believe through their studies that meds don't fix the issues for these children. They said therapy, diet and special training of the caregivers can give these kids a better life! This Grandmother looked and me with this weird look after they said that. Because she was so adamant that drugs was the only thing that could help her GK's. I prayed that she took that information and changed the way she helped her GK's. We exchanged phone #'s and I called her one time however; I could tell she wasn't interested in changing anything?? Some people just believe anything the Dr tells them or gives them. I have a sister who believes that way and she will not do the research...

Dr. Ira Chasnoff also says that traditional drugs for conditions like ADD and ADHD do NOT work on the alcohol and drug exposed child and many children are being put on these medications only to end up with worse problems. My GS's were both drug exposed. My 4 yo is doing amazing. NO PROBLEMS.............Thank you, Jesus. My 6 mo. old seems to be doing well, too; although he is still young and we may not know yet. My 4 yo's pediatrician has insisted on some meds that I have opposed, but I have felt like I've had no choice but to cooperate with her for fear of being reported to family services for medical neglect since she knows he's a ward of the state. Just because you fill a prescription doesn't mean you have to pour it down a kid's throat, though. Granted, I am NOT talking about any type of life-threatening illness or condition.

The mini news clip mentioned that many reasons the children were taking the meds were because there was a threat of removing child from caregiver.

Ditto what you said...I am not saying don't give meds for life threatening situations.

This is another reason I look forward to adopting my grandson...I heard about DCFS taking children away due to not doing meds they prescribe.

I had to go to this place called Terro's this week to be evaluated on my drug use( I don't do drugs)...LOL CPS request. The drug specialist I spoke with told me drug exposed children are more prone to be ADD, ADHD or Bi-Polar or have breathing problems. She made sure I understood that if my GS or GD show signs with ADD or ADHD. For me NOT TO GIVE DRUGS! She told me to seek help in diet and special ways to help them deal with their ADD and ADHD. She told me the drugs given are for lazy parenting and do not help the children. The children will become adults someday and then will rely on the drugs and our future will have a new type of Drug Addict for places like Terros and society to deal with.

Just a note: Her report to CPS was I do not need Drug classes and thought the referral was a big waste of Terros and my time...LOL!

Nutsandbolts, that sounds like a well educated place you, went to. The program my GS and I are in at UCLA is one of those programs which teach us to interact with these children which help them with those issues.

I'm growing 10 fruit trees and an Avocado tree along with Kiwi, grapes and 3 berry bushes. I had a pretty good veggie garden this year which I fed my 3 hens; along with our family. My goal is to learn more and more on how we can grow most of our food organically which in return will help my GS's diet and ours. Plus, I hope to retire in 3yrs and look forward to teaching my gs how to grow his own food and for him to enjoy eating healthy. We have to start them young...a friend of mine told me that her kids could never eat healthy food because they have been eating processed and fast food too long.

I'm glad to hear the place you went to recognize a waste of time & money having you go through a program when not needed!

Liam, I think you bring up a very good point. I believe our children are adversely affected by the processed foods and all of the additives in their food. I am also much more conscience about the amount of sugar my GS consumes and he is even careful about it himself. He won't eat anything sugary after supper time because we've discussed the fact that eating too much sugar can cause him to have nightmares. I limit the sugar because it really makes a huge difference in his behavior. He loves things fresh off the plant, too - like cherry tomatoes and snap peas and he will eat things most 4 yos won't - like brocolli and sprouts. And I don't think it's ever too late to phase in healthy foods and slowly phase out the other junk.

And I think a BIG ONE is keeping the kids off the caffeine. It seems like the manufacturers of these "energy" drinks are determined to make the past 2 generations caffeine/sugar addicts. Who knows how that might tie in to future addictions for these kids?? No energy drinks for my GS or caffeine in soda either.

Your right we are a nation of sugar and caffeine addicts. Every since I heard about a person I knew who died from those energy drinks I see them everywhere and seen parents give them to their pre-teens & teens. I always let people know about the deaths and kidney issues with those energy drinks when ever I can.