DEMOCRATS ECHO CLINTON ADHD CALL

The Australian Democrats today called on the state government to follow the lead of US First Lady, Hilary Clinton, and support a parliamentary inquiry into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Australian Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, said that although the American population was much larger, their growth in psychostimulant use between 1991 and 1995 was eclipsed by South Australia.

"First Lady Clinton is concerned by a 150% growth in psychostimulant use for ADHD between 1991 and 1995, but over that period it grew in South Australia by almost 2000%," Mr Elliott said today.

"That is one of the reasons why when parliament resumes next week the Democrats will be calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the impact of ADHD on the South Australian community.

"The inquiry will also consider the availability of treatments other than psychostimulant medication.

"In 1991 there were 155 young South Australians on medication for ADHD, by 1995 it had grown to 3,051. At the start of this year there were over 5,500 young South Australians using psychostimulants for ADHD.

"While I am not opposed to the use of amphetamines as part of the NH&MRC recommended multi-modal approach to ADHD, I have concerns that they may be currently used as the sole form of treatment.

"Despite repeated calls from the Democrats to take steps to ensure multi modal treatment of ADHD in South Australia, the state government has just shrugged it’s shoulders and denied there is a problem.

"We have a state government that continues to claim the needs of young people with ADHD are being adequately catered for in South Australia.

"If that is the case why is there such a public outcry and an exponential growth in medication use?

"Part of the problem is that ADHD has become such a hot political potato, no state or federal minister is willing to take responsibility for it. This inquiry will force the to realise they cannot keep passing it between portfolios."