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Advocates: Too Many Texas Foster Kids Prescribed Drugs


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Foster care advocates say state lawmakers must act to curtail the high rate of children in the Texas foster care system being treated with powerful psychotropic drugs.
 
A 2011 federal report found that 32 percent of the state's foster children were prescribed drugs, the second-highest rate in the nation behind Massachusetts.
 
The Austin American-Statesman reports (http://bit.ly/U1yO4q ) children as young as 3 are treated.
 
Advocates gathered Wednesday at the Capitol to say medications should last no longer than 60 days.
 
The state Department of Family and Protective Services says the number of foster children on psychotropic medications for at least 60 days has declined to under 20 percent last year.
 
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says his staff will investigate the problem and see whether changes are needed in state law.


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