ADHD in the Borders is twice the national average

"Concerns have been raised that some young people in the Borders have been `parked on medication`. It came as new figures revealed that the region has the highest rate of prescriptions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drugs in Scotland. "

"MSP John Lamont said the the statistics were `alarming`. However NHS Borders said the medication was one of a range of measures used to treat the condition."

"A spokesman for the board said the MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire displayed `little understanding of the condition or its treatment and what the figures represent`. More than 180,000 daily doses of ADHD medication were prescribed in the Borders last year, almost twice that in 2009/10... "

"Most received methylphenidate hydrochloride, which is also known as Ritalin.' Mr Lamont said there was `no reason` why the health board should be prescribing the medication at twice the national rate. He added: `Clearly more people are being diagnosed with ADHD and other behavioural problems as awareness about them increases, but the fact that prescriptions are rising in the Borders faster than anywhere else and doubling since 2009 is alarming.` "

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-34527068