IPFS News Link • Military

Senators worried about increase in Rx drug use in military

3/26/10 • AZ Daily Star

NORFOLK, Va. - A group of U.S. senators has raised concern that the use of antidepressants and other prescription drugs for treatment of mental disorders is on the rise in the military, particularly among troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., who led the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee hearing in Washington this week, said the apparent increase in prescriptions is "on its face, pretty astounding and troubling." Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., who has been speaking out for months about the rise in prescribed drugs and how they may be harmful to younger soldiers, said at the hearing that the military needs to examine whether increased use of medicines has any link to an increase in military suicides. Department of Defense statistics show that from 2005 to 2008, "there was a 400 percent increase in the prescription of antidepressants and other drugs used to treat anxiety," Cardin said. And a 2007 Army report showed that about 12 percent of co

1 Comments in Response to Senators worried about increase in Rx drug use in military

Comment by Tucker Bill (28803)

Entered on: 3/26/2010 8:45:40 PM

Those serving may have reason for cause of mental sickness. When serving under extremely stressful conditions, watching fellow soldiers lay there lives down. For what? Strategic military position in Iraq and Afghan.? Control of opium trade in Afgan.? Big Bankers Free for all in Afghan.? To help Communist China protect thier Copper mines in Afghan. If I were a Senator from Va, or Md I would be rallying my fellow Sen. to bring these Men and Women home. We are in a war for all the wrong reasons. What happened to the U.S. who didn't medle in the affairs of other countries. We don't need strong borders we need strong citizens who won't be victimized bye corrupt government, drug cartels, or any kind of gency that deflates our freedoms and liberties.

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