CEO Michael Piraino Provides Expert Insight for National Inquiry on Overuse of Psychotropic Drugs

As many of you know, National CASA’s CEO Michael Piraino has been prominently featured in media coverage of the recent GAO report concerning the shocking overuse of psychotropic medication among youth in care. Michael was a featured speaker in stories on ABC (World News and 20/20) and on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 program.

This is one of the largest media opportunities in National CASA’s history. According to one researcher, the publicity from the ABC 20/20 clip alone reached nearly 7 million viewers, providing what would be the equivalent of $580,000 in purchased advertising. In addition, Michael has worked to line up interviews with over 30 local radio stations to continue the conversation about this critical issue.

We expect that focus on this issue will rise, both in the media and with our nation’s decision makers. In late November, the Obama administration sent a letter to state officials outlining its concerns with the “safe, appropriate, and effective use” of psychotropic drugs in foster children. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security conducted an investigative hearing on December 1, the release date of the GAO Report. (Video of the testimony can be seen on the committee’s website.) The committee anticipates it will conduct additional inquiry.

We encourage local programs to also take advantage of this opportunity, both to raise awareness of the overuse of psychotropic drugs and the importance of CASA volunteers as advocates for children who need someone to protect their rights. If you have local stories of youth who have suffered from receiving unnecessary psychotropic medications, these stories can provide compelling narratives for the media. The young man featured in ABC’s coverage, Ke’onte Cook, was able to find a permanent home with the help of the CASA program in Hunt County, TX. His adoptive family was then able to take the necessary steps so that Ke’onte would no longer have to take any of these medications. (To learn more about Ke’onte Cook and his adoptive family, we encourage you to read Michael Piraino’s recent blog post.) We need to make the point that part of the solution to this issue lies with providing an advocate for every single child in care.

If you missed any of the coverage featuring Michael Piraino, you can view it online:

ABC—World News (Wednesday, November 30)

ABC—20/20 (Friday, December 2)

CNN—Anderson Cooper 360 (Friday, December 2—partial clip of show)