Addressing Faulty Prescribing Practices of Psychotropic Medication Among Court-Involved Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Recent data have illustrated the increasing use of psychotropic medication among children and the disproportionality of use among court-involved children and adolescents and have raised serious concerns among mental health professionals. As a result of advocacy efforts by practitioners and researchers promoting awareness of the issue, child welfare professionals and legislators have begun taking steps to address the issue at both the public system and state levels. This article examines the results of recent advocacy efforts to address this issue to date, explores the complexity of factors that continue to influence the problem, and offers specific strategies for counselors and other mental health professionals to employ in resolving the problem.