This video explores the difficulties in obtaining ADHD treatment, particularly the medication shortage in the United States. The speaker, Benn Jordan, shares his personal experience navigating the system after receiving an ADHD diagnosis and discusses the underlying causes and consequences of the shortage, including the involvement of the DEA and the rise of the black market for ADHD medications.
The video attributes the difficulty in obtaining ADHD medication to a confluence of factors:
DEA Quotas: The DEA imposed limits on the amount of amphetamines that drug companies can purchase to manufacture medication. The video questions the evidence supporting this decision, suggesting it may not be proportional to the actual level of abuse and disproportionately affects those needing legitimate treatment.
Drug Shortages: The DEA's quotas, combined with other factors not fully explained in the video, have resulted in significant drug shortages. Manufacturers haven't produced the full amount permitted, creating a shortfall of billions of doses. Drug companies are not required to explain reasons for shortages, hindering transparency.
Increased Demand & Black Market: The increased difficulty in obtaining medication legally has led to a substantial rise in demand on the black market, where counterfeit and potentially dangerous medications are sold. This further exacerbates the problem and introduces significant health risks.