A growing number of families across metro Detroit are facing an unexpected challenge: a nationwide shortage of ADHD medication. From children struggling in school to adults just trying to manager daily life tasks, the impact of this shortage is widespread.

Watch Peter's report in the video player below Looking at what's behind the ADHD medication shortage affecting metro Detroit families

"Out of nowhere, it was like my medication got cut off," said Abigail Lozon.

Across metro Detroit, pharmacies are struggling to keep ADHD medication like Adderall in stock, and for many like Abigail Lozon in Taylor, this isn't just an inconvenience. It's a disruption to daily life.

"When I couldn't take the medication, every symptom was just so much worse," Abigail said.

These symptoms include depression, difficulty focusing and procrastination. Abigail's mother, Michelle, has been trying everything she can to help her daughter.

"It was frustrating, I was calling all over the state, I was calling Ohio, I was calling everywhere around.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the shortage began in the fall of 2022 due to manufacturing delays and increased demand.

"We just can't simply keep up," said Rudy Najm.

Najm is a pharmacist at iPharmacy in Livonia, and told me there's a combination of delays in manufacturing and supply chain issues, on top of the increase in demand.

"We rely on other countries to make the drugs, so there's a manufacturing problem," Najm said. "There's also a quota from various regulatory agencies."

And as a pharmacist, Rudy understands the pain and frustrations that customers are facing.

"We will work with the providers and the families to find an alternative solution to avoid the interruption in treatment," Najm said.

I sat down with ADHD therapist Justin Gillespie to see how he's helping his clients navigate the ADHD medication shortage.

"We're doing a lot of skill building in therapy right now and get individuals access to more medication," Gillespie said.

These skill-building exercises, Justin said, are helping those he treats navigate the challenges of ADHD without their usual medication.

"We're doing a lot with impulse control with a lot of our clients right now, both with the adults and the children getting ready to go back to school, and adults continuing on with work," the therapist said.

Dr. Lasiona Barlow is a clinical psychologist at DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital. She told me the adderall shortage is real.

"There is a major shortage for those types of stimulant medications, but there's definitely alternatives for it," Dr. Barlow said.

Dr. Barlow went on to say that they might not be a quick fix right now, but they're working on holistic approaches.

"It's not medication, it's not going to chemically change anything in the body, but it is simply training the brain to be more regulated," Dr. Barlow said.

Experts like Dr. Barlow and Gillespie recommend that patients consult with their healthcare provider. Meanwhile, Abigail is working to navigate life without her medication.

"I'm doing better now. I got the help I needed, but I wish it didn't have to be that way," Abigail said.

Where Your Voice Matters

While electric vehicle (EV) ownership continues to rise, there's still a significant gap in access to public EV charging stations here in Michigan. A new study by Michigan State University shows that Michigan needs $998 millon for EV charging stations throughout the state to keep up with current and future demand.

The question is: who should pay? The government, or electric vehicle companies? I spoke with the researchers and EV drivers about what it will take to address this need in our state.

Watch Peter Maxwell's report in the video player below 'There's a lack of chargers all around': New study shows Michigan needs $998 million for EV charging stations

" I am always thinking 'where's the charger?'" said EV driver Mo Alkhabbaz.

"You get feeling real nervous," said EV driver Dale Domain.

For EV drivers, finding a place to charge can be a chore, especially in Michigan, where charging stations for EVs are hard to come by.

"You're always shuffling, (asking) 'where can I find the charger?'" Alkhabbaz mentioned.

Mo has been test-driving an EV for the last week and has noticed something.

"There's a lack of chargers all around," he told me.

I also met Dale Domain, who took a road trip in his EV to Minnesota last year and mapped out how he would get there in his EV.

"Had done some research ahead of time to see where the charging stations were, but it was something that was on my mind throughout because the range is relatively short," Dale said.

The EV tax credit ends on September 30. Dealers I spoke with said EV sales are soaring with this deadline approaching. It's a trend confirmed by automotive analyst John McElroy.

"We're seeing strong increases in EV sales right now because people are rushing to get one before federal incentives go away," McElroy said. "Not just for new ones but for used ones. Used EV sales are going up faster than new ones."

According to the Michigan Secretary of State, as of June of this year, there are over 85,000 registered EVs on the road right now. That number falls short of the state's goal of 2 million EVs by 2030.

"When these incentives run out at the end of September, we are almost for sure going to see a big drop in sales," McElroy said.

When it comes to the EV charging infrastructure, MSU Professor Mehranz Ghamami told me Michigan is behind. Right now, there are less than 4,000 public EV charing stations available.

"There are still gaps in the network here and there that do not fully support the current one percent market share," Ghamami said.

In a recent study, MSU researchers looked at what the state would need if 25 percent of Michigan drivers chose electric vehicles. The state would need close to $1 billion, or over 66,000 new charging stations.

"25 percent by 2030 is not Feasible at this point," Ghamami said.

The funding would be a mix of federal tax dollars and private investment. Just this month, a federal judge made the Trump administration reverse course, unfreezing $5 billion in previously allocated funds for EV charging infrastructure. Michigan is getting $110 million from this, but it's not just about cost; it's also about coverage rural areas, apartment complexes and public access to keep EV drivers ooving.

"In the Upper Peninsula we definitely need more investment, and also in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula," Ghamami said.

The EV drivers I spike with say tax dollars shouldn't be used to fund the build out of the electric charging grid.

"No, I don't thinnk so, unless it's a grant from the EV makers for them to have infrastructure to make more sales," Alkhabbaz said.

"I think everyone should be paying a fair amount," Domain said. "I don't like seeing other people being forced to subsidize the EV."

Where Your Voice Matters

Clinton Township police arrested a suspected arsonist thanks to their new drone technology, which provided officers with crucial real-time surveillance during the apprehension.

Police arrested 23-year-old Cody Krantz after he allegedly set multiple fires inside and outside an apartment building at Clemens Court Apartments off Joy Road.

The drone gave officers a bird's eye view of the scene around 2 a.m. Monday, allowing them to confirm Krantz was alone in his parked vehicle before moving in to make the arrest.

Related Video: Drone video shows arrest in Clinton Township Drone video of Clinton Township Police Department arrest

"The suspect at the time potentially had weapons inside the vehicle. We wanted to verify that and see who else was inside the vehicle," Capt. Michael Marker said.

The video footage shows officers conducting a calm arrest after using the drone to assess potential risks.

"They also provide plenty of information to any of the command officers on scene that they can devise a tactical plan to go in there," Marker said.

Residents of the apartment complex expressed relief following the arrest.

"On Monday night, I was told he was going to blow the building up," said Lailah Smith, who lives in the building that Krantz allegedly tried to set ablaze.

Smith appreciates the police department's quick response and use of technology to prevent what could have been a tragedy.

"That's putting a message out there like 'yes, you can get help. We're here for you.' You know what I'm saying? And that's the message I was looking for," Smith said.

"I am glad that they got him. I am glad," Smith added.

Krantz is currently in the Macomb County Jail facing home invasion and arson charges. His bail has been set at $500,000.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.