SLS 14RS-1209 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 39
BY SENATOR HEITMEIER
HEALTH/HOSPITALS DEPT. Requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to study
the most effective means to ensure the proper utilization of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder medications in Louisiana and to report its findings to the legislature.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the most effective2
means to ensure the proper utilization of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder3
medications in Louisiana and to report its findings to the Senate Committee on4
Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Health and Welfare.5
WHEREAS, the use of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)6
medications among Americans rose thirty-five point five percent from 2008 to 2012; and7
WHEREAS, the number of young adults ages twenty-six to thirty-four taking8
medications for ADHD has nearly doubled nationwide from three hundred forty thousand9
in 2008 to six hundred forty thousand in 2012; and10
WHEREAS, Louisiana has the second highest proportion of residents in the country11
on an ADHD medication at four point seven percent for the population as a whole; and 12
WHEREAS, thirteen point six percent of boys ages twelve to eighteen in Louisiana13
are on an ADHD medication; and14
WHEREAS, Louisiana has the highest number of older girls and young women on15
ADHD treatments in the country, with seven point eight percent of girls ages twelve to16
eighteen and eight percent of women ages nineteen to twenty-five on an ADHD medication;17
and18 SCR NO. 39
SLS 14RS-1209 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, there are risks associated with the use of ADHD medications, including1
addiction and adverse reactions in patients with cardiovascular disease or related conditions;2
and3
WHEREAS, ADHD medications may also increase risks of other psychiatric4
conditions and can cause seizures if taken in high doses; and5
WHEREAS, one in eight teenagers has misused or abused ADHD medications at6
least once in his lifetime; and7
WHEREAS, almost one in ten teenagers has misused or abused ADHD medications8
in the past year; and 9
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana finds that ensuring the proper utilization10
of ADHD medication is an important public health priority for the state.11
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby12
urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the most effective means13
to ensure the proper utilization of ADHD medications in Louisiana and to report its findings14
to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Health and15
Welfare.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the department may17
engage, collaborate with, and obtain information and perspective from stakeholder groups18
with an interest in the proper utilization of ADHD medications.19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall provide the findings of this20
study in the form of a report to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House21
Committee on Health and Welfare on or before February 1, 2015.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the23
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.24
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Christopher D. Adams.
DIGEST
Heitmeier SCR No. 39
Requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the most effective means to ensure
the proper utilization of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medications in
Louisiana and to report its findings to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the
House Committee on Health and Welfare.