Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, expressed concerns about the increasing use of powerful psychotropic drugs on children and the influence of major pharmaceutical companies. He questioned whether these practices are truly enhancing Americans’ well-being. This statement was made on X.
“Powerful psychotropic drugs for millions of young children…a good idea,” said Cortes. “Big Pharma has incredible power. From Washington to Media to University research. But are its tactics making us healthier & happier? See my MAHA documentary on these critical issues, below.”
In the United States, there is a growing concern over the rising use of psychotropic medications in children amidst fears about pharmaceutical industry influence and overprescribing, particularly during a worsening youth mental-health crisis. In 2025, President Trump initiated a federal review of psychiatric and weight-loss drugs for minors, including antidepressants, ADHD stimulants, and GLP-1 medications as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. According to the Washington Post, medical experts have cautioned that many children depend on these medicines due to limited access to therapy rather than solely because of “Big Pharma” marketing.
National survey data indicate that the use of psychotropic and ADHD-related medication among young people is significant. Between 2021 and 2023, approximately 16% of U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 reported taking prescription medication for emotions, concentration, behavior, or mental health in the previous year. Around 20% received mental-health counseling or therapy during this period. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) children’s mental-health statistics, these treatment rates are accompanied by high levels of reported anxiety and depression symptoms.
Comparative research on ADHD treatment suggests that stimulant medications generally provide stronger short-term symptom reductions compared to behavioral therapy alone. However, long-term benefits are greatest when drugs are combined with psychosocial interventions. A review of pediatric ADHD care found that stimulants are “relatively safe,” though they commonly cause side effects such as appetite loss and insomnia. According to Rajeh et al., clinicians must weigh these risks against improvements in behavior and school performance.
Steve Cortes serves as Founder and President of the League of American Workers and is a senior political advisor to CatholicVote. He previously worked as a senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance and has been a commentator for Fox News and CNN. Cortes regularly releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
