More pupils get ‘chemical cosh’ drugs

The number of children being given anti-hyperactivity drugs to tackle unruly behaviour in the classroom has soared.

The cost of prescribing drugs to treat ADHD increased by nearly eight per cent last year in Scotland, leading to concerns children are being unnecessarily drugged because indiscipline is being seen as a medical problem, it has been reported.

NHS Lothian had the second highest bill for the drugs, with its total spend rising from £350,740 to £362,829.

Gordon Buchan, Tory health spokesman on Edinburgh City Council: said: “I would hope there would be non-prescription ways of helping people in these circumstances because prescriptions have all kinds of associations with them.”

Scottish Lib Dem health spokeswoman Alison McInnes said she was ‘shocked’ by the scale of the drug’s prescription.

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