CNN iReport

The widespread use of psychotropic drugs on young people and others is absolutely pandemic. These drugs that affect the psychological state of a person are often administered without psychotherapy or very little oversight and control.

Why are we allowing our children to proceed down this primrose path?

Yet another victim of psychotropic drugs:

"Gabriel's lifeless body was found hanging in his Margate foster home on April 16. The death shone a troubling spotlight on the boy's medical history and — once again — resurrected the controversy over prescribing psychotropic medications to children. Nationally, about 5 percent of all children are treated with psychotropic drugs. In Florida's foster care system, roughly 15 percent of its children receive at least one of these powerful drugs. "

Psychotropic drugs are a loosely defined grouping of agents that have effects on psychological function and include the antidepressants, hallucinogens, and tranquilizers. They are all compounds that affect the functioning of the mind through pharmacological action on the central nervous system. Psychotropic drugs are ubiquitous in our society and encompass both prescription psychiatric medications and illegal narcotics, as well as many over the counter remedies. Because these compounds affect human behavior, there is much suspicion, misunderstanding, and controversy surrounding their use. Sedative drugs first appeared in the late 1800s. They were followed by barbiturates and amphetamines in the early 1900s. But it was drugs such as chlorpromazine hydrochloride (Thorazine) and lithium, introduced in the 1950s that dramatically affected psychiatric medicine. Medicine essentially recognizes four main psychotropic drug categories: antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antianxiety agents and antidepressants.