Lack of ADHD treatment in B.C. draws criticism from mental-health advocates

VANCOUVER – Mental-health advocacy organizations in British Columbia are calling out the province for falling behind the rest of the country when it comes to treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance and Canada’s Centre for ADHD Awareness say the province is failing to offer a full range of treatments for the mental disorder.

They say the shortcoming has social and financial impacts for both Canadians and the medical system.

The groups demand the province widen its coverage of long-acting ADHD medications, which they say are more effective and have fewer side effects than other treatments.

They say B.C. is one of the only provinces to not finance a variety of long-acting medications under PharmaCare.

ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder whose symptoms include difficulty paying attention, trouble controlling behaviour and impulsiveness.