Psychotropic Medication Prescribing in a Juvenile Justice Facility: Evidence of a Limited Discontinuation Process

This study examined medical files for former residents of a juvenile residential facility. A review of medical files for 135 adolescents adjudicated for sexual offenses revealed 57 (42.2%) received one or more psychotropic medications during their stay. The most frequently prescribed psychotropic medications for residents were stimulants (53.6%), antidepressants (50.9%), and antipsychotics (19.3%). Some residents simultaneously received two (n = 15; 26.3%), three (n= 6; 10.5%), four (n= 6; 10.53%), five (n = 4; 7.02%), and six (n = 1; 1.75%) psychotropic medications. Nevertheless, 22 (38.6%) of the 57 residents who received psychotropic medication experienced discontinuation of all psychotropic medication prior to discharge. Individuals who received antipsychotic medication were (a) most likely to receive multiple psychotropic medications and (b) least likely to experience discontinuation of any medication. Similarly, residents who entered the facility with psychotropic medication were less likely to experience discontinuation than those who received psychotropic medication after intake.