Mental health officials and activists agree that prescription meds can be positive life changers for kids suffering trauma.

But they also see signs of an over-reliance on the drugs in some cases. Jennifer Justice is with Ohio’s Office of Families and Children. She notes studies that show kids in foster care are nearly nine times as likely to be given those medicines compared to other children on Medicaid.

And she says “12 percent of children who have experienced maltreatment are taking a psychotropic drug. Twenty-two percent of children in foster care will take a psychotropic medication at some point. And a majority of children in foster care (are) receiving psychotropic medications are on multiple prescriptions.”

Side effects can include lethargy and weight-gain.