28^th February 2008 

Rev Fred Nile Raises Concern Over ADHA Drugs

The Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has raised community concern over the degree of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug administration in NSW during question time in State Parliament’s Legislative Council.

Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I ask the Attorney General, representing the Minister for Health, a question without notice.

• Is it a fact that children are the predominant sufferers of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
• Is it a fact that written prescriptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs skyrocketed by more than 150 per cent in 2007?
• Is it a fact that these drugs have been linked to severe adverse side-effects, including suicidal behaviour, hallucinations, stroke and other heart complications?
• Is it a fact that the Clinical Excellence Commission recently reported on a New South Wales attention deficit hyperactivity disorder review that claimed that the administration of drugs was not excessive?
• However, is it a fact that the Clinical Excellence Commission prohibited public submissions and testimonies to the review?
• Will the Government investigate this matter and consider the establishment of a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry, as occurred in Western Australia in 2004, into the administration of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs to the children of New South Wales?