Kids in Foster Care 3 Times More Likely to Be Prescribed Dangerous Drugs

Twelve percent of children in Florida who have been removed from their homes and are in state foster care are prescribed psychotropic drugs. According to a government accountability report, kids in foster care in Florida are about three times more like to receive the drugs.

The side effects from these drugs can be suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, nightmares, and even death.

"We're playing with fire. We're playing with fire," says Florida State Senator Rhonda Storms, a Republican from Brandon. Storms has a bill, Senate Bill 1808, working its way through the state legislature. Her proposed legislation will make the state have to show a compelling state interest before a child in the Department of Children and Families foster care system is medicated.