Southern California Psychiatric Society
POSITION STATEMENT
April 14th, 2023

Stimulants are recognized as an effective and safe treatment for ADHD. The ongoing shortage in stimulants is causing irreparable harm to patients with ADHD, from children who regress behaviorally and academically, to adults who are unable to perform their daily duties without these medications. Additionally, the shortage places patients with ADHD at increased risk for substance use, car accidents, depression, anxiety, and other comorbidities.

SCPS calls upon policymakers, pharmaceutical companies and psychiatric organizations to take focused action now to prioritize the needs of patients with ADHD over attempts by law enforcement agencies to prevent illicit provision of medication when those attempts create dangerous shortages in the supply of psychiatric medications essential for the health of children and adults.