On The Front Lines
John Whitehead to Speak About the Harm to Children from Unwarranted Drugging at Candlelight Vigil for 7-Year-Old Suicide Victim
CLEARWATER, Fla.-- Attorney and author John W. Whitehead will address the public about the harm to children from unwarranted drugging during the annual statewide Gabriel Meyers candlelight vigil at the Memorial Causeway in Clearwater, Florida on April 16, 2011, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Gabriel Meyers died on April 16, 2009, having apparently hung himself in the shower of his foster parents' home. An autopsy report revealed that there were several psychotropic drugs in his blood that have been associated with an increased risk of suicide.
"Over-prescription of psychotropic drugs is one of the most severe issues plaguing America's children today, especially within foster homes and residential treatment centers," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "Over 17 million children worldwide--ten million of whom live in the United States--have been prescribed drugs so dangerous that regulatory agencies around the world, including in the United States, have issued warnings on their side effects."
In 2009, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary George H. Sheldon established a work group to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the tragic death of 7-year-old Gabriel Myers. Gabriel died on April 16, 2009, when police indicated he had apparently hanged himself in the shower of his foster parents' Margate home. A work group was subsequently formed to carry out a full inquiry into the facts of the case, in light of case management and judicial decisions, as well as determine the contributing effects of psychotropic drugs and sexual abuse.
The term "psychotropic" refers to an assortment of chemical substances that act on the brain to alter consciousness, mood, behavior or perception; these substances include those used for recreational purposes (including alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, etc.) and a broad range of therapeutic purposes (psychotherapeutic, anesthesia, pain control, etc.). The term "psychotherapeutic" refers to medications prescribed for the management of mental and emotional disorders. It also specifically defines the group of agents that this section encompasses (antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium and anticonvulsant mood stabilizers; stimulants and other ADHD drugs; and sedative-hypnotics). According to the work group's report, some 5% of all children nationally are treated with psychotropic medications. In Florida's foster care system, 15.2% of its children receive at least one such medication, according to a report dated August 14, 2009. It is often asserted that psychotropic medications in the general population of children are sometimes being used to help parents, teachers and other caregivers to calm and manage, rather than treat children.
John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law and human rights. Widely recognized as one of the nation's most vocal and involved civil liberties attorneys, Whitehead's approach to civil liberties issues has earned him numerous accolades and accomplishments.
