Sunday, January 23, 2011
Medical professionals have expressed serious concerns about the U.S. military’s dispensing of antipsychotic drugs to combat soldiers and other personnel.
The U.S. Central Command allows, under its drug formulary, for troops struggling from sleep deprivation to receive a 6-month supply of Seroquel, which was first developed to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, mania and depression. At least two U.S. Marines have died in their sleep after taking large amounts of the medication.
Dr. Grace Jackson, a former Navy psychiatrist, left the service “out of conscience, because I did not want to be a pill pusher,” she told Nextgov. Jackson believes psychotropic drugs are “destroying the force.” She is especially concerned about the anticonvulsive drug Depakote, which military doctors prescribe for mood control. Depakote can cause “cognitive toxicity,” impaired ability to think and make decisions.
Another expert, Dr. Peter Breggin, told the House Veterans Affairs Committee last year that combat soldiers should not be given psychotic drugs, because they can cause loss of judgment and self-control and lead to increased violence and suicidal impulses.
According to a June 2010 report by the Defense Department's Pharmacoeconomic Center at Fort Sam Houston, 20% of active-duty troops were taking prescribed psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics and sedative hypnotics.
-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky
Military's Drug Policy Threatens Troops' Health, Doctors Say (by Bob Brewin, Nextgov)
Comments