Even if the side effects haven't been fully explored; even if there is a temptation to use Prozac, etc. as a quick fix; even if the Lillys are pushing these drugs for profit--the benefits are going to be so substantial, in suicides prevented and lives restored, that it's worth the risk.
After all, even Ritalin has many useful purposes for children; the way to prevent abuse of such drugs is to insure that, for example, only doctors can recommend or even mention such drugs as an option for kids (as is the case in Connecticut with Ritalin now). There are numerous other safeguards that can be put in place.
In my opinion, many of those who argue that too many people take Prozac, etc, are psychologists and social workers motivated by professional bias; these people have done more harm to kids and adults over the years by telling them that their problems were "issues" that they had to "work through" in order to "grow." That's all baloney.
Like AIDS drugs, the problem with anti-depressants is that they are too expensive and not readily available to most of those who need them. Many, many more people should be on them.
My personal experiences are no doubt clouding my judgement here, so don't take my opinions as anything more than one man's deranged rantings; maybe I should go take more meds:)
Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2003 11:37:54 -0600 From: "Peter K." <peterk at enteract.com> Subject: Re: U.S. Approves Prozac for Treating Children
take your point and very strongly believe that people on medication shouldn't be stigmatized. Having said that, there are two sides to this. Along with the kids who are helped, I see many kids getting hurt by busy parents who want a quick fix. I don't see how this is "deriding psychoactive meds as social engineering."
Why didn't the Clinton Adminstration approve this? Why did the Bush Administration? Who does Eli Lilly give part of their profits to? Both parties?
I guess as a libertatian socialist I should be okay with the legalization of drugs. But there doesn't seem to be any data on Prozac's effect on kids:
""Depression is a serious illness in all age groups, but unlike the adult population, there has been a lack of data available regarding the effects of medications in the treatment of child and adolescent depression," a Lilly spokesman, Blair Austin, said." http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/04/business/04PROZ.html
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