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Reducing 'chemical restraint' of TYC youth

Reacting to an excellent recent investigative article published in Youth Today, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a story on TYC's recent decision to reduce use of psychotropic drugs among the youth in their care. The story opens:Anti-psychotic drugs meant to treat mental illness were being used instead as chemical restraints on youths incarcerated in Texas Youth Commission facilities, Commissioner Scott Fisher said.The medications, which have a sedating effect, are intended to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder but were used on youths who did not have those diagnoses.Fisher, a Bedford pastor, said the commission has worked over the past year to implement a system that focuses on matching drugs to need. Statistics show that since last year the commission has throttled back spending on the drugs...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on October 23, 2010 (boomark / email).