The Other Welfare: psychoactive drugs and SSI benefits

[Islander]

I've seen repeated claims that schools get paid for each kid diagnosed ADHD. My superintendent, with whom I served on the local school district board of directors for 10 years, laughed out loud. But I've just found out who does get paid for putting kids on psychoactive drugs, and I admit I was surprised. Our taxes are paying parents of children who qualify for SSI. Paying them a lot.

You can see the beginning of the Boston Globe series here. http://www.boston.com/news/health/specials/New_Welfare/
You'll have to register on the site to continue, but it's free. And a real eye-opener.

[mellowsong]

My grandson (turns 5 tomorrow) has periods of being ADHD, sometimes even violent. Gosh, this always turns out to be related to something he ate with corn in it BUT his pre school teacher wanted my daughter to take him to a behavior psychologist for evaluation and she was told if he was diagnosed with ADHD, they would qualify for help....guess this was the help the teacher was talking about...drug my grandson up? Luckily she did not fall for it and refused the evaluation.

[Katee]

Federal Disability Program Induces Drugging in Low-Income Families (http://www.cchrint.org/2011/01/05/8445/)

[mellowsong]

I've run into the same thing with Social Security disability for adults however. Your claim is much much more likely to be approved if you have a history of depression or other mental illness and are on psychotropic medications :( They even force you to see a psychologist as part of the testing. I guess, if you are able to cope mentally without drugs with whatever your disability is, then you aren't disabled right?

[highlander]

The last thing anyone should want is to end up on a government list of people with mental issues.

[Islander]

The last thing anyone should want is to end up on a government list of people with mental issues.

But if you watch just the first video in that Boston Globe series, you can begin to understand the meaning of $500-700/month extra to families living below the poverty line. It's a really tough call. And of course, there are people who truly need it, as well as people who will abuse it. I kind of question its inherent value.

[highlander]

My concern is the financial motivation could be used to herd the mentally ill into a pharmaceutical “chute” and put a paper trail badge on them a la the Holocaust Jews. I’m sure that sounds completely paranoid but history is an excellent teacher. Once they know there are mental health concerns they can claim justification in stepping in "for the common good." I know what it’s like to choose poverty over the system. It’s very hard to endure and then there’s the social stigma that comes with it like sticky day glo icing on a cake. When the gov't makes something easy, it makes me nervous.

[Islander]

I'd worry far less about the mentally ill label and way more about the activists out there. One of the more literate, educated mercola members is on a no-fly list because he did some research and then gave a public talk on the 9/11 conspiracy. Think of that. Fact. Can't fly. Now that's scary.