SOCIAL JUSTICE BLOG
Read and share extraordinary stories from the frontlines of social change
Foster Youth & Advocate Stand Up To Over-Prescription Of Psychotropics
A class action in Missouri challenged the state alleging it unlawfully deprived children in foster care of their liberty interest by failing to provide adequate oversight in the administration of powerful psychotropic medications. It took courage for Khi, a young child at the time, to stand up to state actors who were in a position to continue to abuse her. Fortunately, Kris was determined to stand up for Khi. While not a relative or in any way legally responsible for Khi’s health and safety, Kris took professional and legal risks to protect Khi. Belittled, gaslit, and threatened, they persisted. They stood up together and prevailed. This is their story…
Indiscriminate Use of Psychotropics among Children in Foster Care Is a National Disgrace
Because of the success of our lawsuit, Missouri will now begin implementing reforms to protect these children: medical records will be monitored; doctors and caregivers, with real input from youth, will vet the risks and the benefits of medication before it is administered; and an independent child psychiatrist will be available to provide secondary review of prescriptions for efficacy and safety.
Too Many, Too Much, and Too Young: Class Action Seeks To Protect Foster Kids From Dangerous Mistreatment With Psychotropic Drugs
On any given day, thousands of children in foster care across the country are administered psychotropic medications to address mental health and behavioral issues. Some of these children receive combinations of two, three, or more such medications at a time, often in elevated dosages. Some, like Joe, are even placed on antipsychotics, which led him to say, “I feel like I have knives in my eyes.”