The Overlooked Reality: Drug Abuse as a Form of Child Abuse

Author: Elsevier Health Sciences
Published: 2010/07/22 - Updated: 2024/08/23
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Topic: Pharmaceutical Information (Publications Database)

Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main Item

Synopsis: Child abuse can include malicious use include alcohol, painkillers, cough and cold medicines, sedatives and sleeping pills, and antipsychotic medicines. Child abuse is a serious problem that affects nearly one million children a year in the United States alone. Non-therapeutic administration of pharmaceuticals to children can result in serious outcomes, including death.

Introduction

Child abuse is a serious problem that affects nearly one million children a year in the United States alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Department of Health and Human Services classify child abuse into four categories including:

None of these categories, however, clearly includes the abusive use of drugs on children. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics investigates the malicious use of pharmaceuticals and attempts to shed light on this under-recognized problem.

Main Item

Dr. Shan Yin from the University of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Poison Drug Center at Denver Health reviewed cases of pharmaceutical abuse reported to the National Poison Data System between 2000 and 2008. Dr. Yin included reports of the malicious use of alcohol, painkillers, cough and cold medicines, sedatives and sleeping pills, and antipsychotic medicines.

Of the more than 1400 cases studied, nearly 14% resulted in moderate to major consequences, including death.

Nearly one-half of the abused children were exposed to at least one sedative.

An average of 160 cases, including two deaths, was reported each year.

Motives and legal findings were unavailable for these particular cases; however, motives for the abusive use of drugs generally are varied, and can include punishment, amusement, or a wish for a break from childcare responsibilities.

This study illustrates the seriousness of the abusive use of drugs administered to children. According to Dr. Yin, "The malicious administration of pharmaceuticals should be considered an important form of child abuse." He encourages pediatricians and emergency medical personnel to be on the watch for this form of maltreatment, and suggests the use of comprehensive drug screening during the evaluation of a child suspected to be the victim of abuse.

Dr. Yin also cautions parents that the "non-therapeutic administration of pharmaceuticals to children can result in serious outcomes, including death."

The study, reported in "Malicious Use of Pharmaceuticals in Children" by Shan Yin, MD, MPH, appears in the Journal of Pediatrics, published by Elsevier.

Attribution/Source(s):

This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Elsevier Health Sciences, and published on 2010/07/22 (Edit Update: 2024/08/23), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Elsevier Health Sciences can be contacted at eu.elsevierhealth.com. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page (APA): Elsevier Health Sciences. (2010, July 22 - Last revised: 2024, August 23). The Overlooked Reality: Drug Abuse as a Form of Child Abuse. Disabled World. Retrieved November 3, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/drugs-child-abuse.php

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