[jamisi]

By Andrew Tilghman and Brendan McGarry - Staff writers
Posted : Sunday Jun 6, 2010 18:22:42 EDT

Prescription drug cocktails have lead to at least 32 accidental overdoses among Marines and soldiers since 2007, bringing military medical practices for treating physical and psychiatric problems under scrutiny.

At least 30 soldiers and two Marines overdosed while under the care of Army Warrior Transition Units or the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, created three years ago to tightly focus care and attention on troops suffering from injuries as a result of combat.

Most of the troops had been prescribed “drug cocktails,” combinations of drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills, antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, interviews and records show. In all cases, suicide was ruled out.

Army officials say the deaths are often complicated by troops mixing medications with alcohol, taking their own medications incorrectly or without a prescription.

It is unclear how many troops across the entire military have died from drug toxicity. Pentagon officials have not provided information about accidental drug deaths across the military despite a Military Times Freedom of Information Act request submitted nearly two months ago. Data on military deaths is compiled by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and maintained at the Pentagon’s Defense Manpower Data Center.

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[Janny2006]

By Andrew Tilghman and Brendan McGarry - Staff writers
Posted : Sunday Jun 6, 2010 18:22:42 EDT

Prescription drug cocktails have lead to at least 32 accidental overdoses among Marines and soldiers since 2007, bringing military medical practices for treating physical and psychiatric problems under scrutiny.

At least 30 soldiers and two Marines overdosed while under the care of Army Warrior Transition Units or the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, created three years ago to tightly focus care and attention on troops suffering from injuries as a result of combat.

Most of the troops had been prescribed “drug cocktails,” combinations of drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills, antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, interviews and records show. In all cases, suicide was ruled out.

Army officials say the deaths are often complicated by troops mixing medications with alcohol, taking their own medications incorrectly or without a prescription.

It is unclear how many troops across the entire military have died from drug toxicity. Pentagon officials have not provided information about accidental drug deaths across the military despite a Military Times Freedom of Information Act request submitted nearly two months ago. Data on military deaths is compiled by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and maintained at the Pentagon’s Defense Manpower Data Center.

Read the rest of the story...

This is an issue that mirrors its counterpart in the Civilian Society. In both cases we have a situation where people are being medicated to deal with the various issues of PTSD, with no supervision whatsoever.

[Numbiydq]

I STRONGLY suggest to anyone who is taking prescription medication, especially if it's being prescribed by more than one doctor, to talk to your pharmacist about possible adverse interactions or side effects of the medication, BEFORE taking it!

People consider doctors to have all the knowledge required, in order to prescribe medicine. In reality, most doctors have generalized knowledge about the medications they're prescribing, while pharmacists have specialized knowledge. Pharmacists go to school just about as long as doctors do, in order to be licensed, and have a much better idea of what you're taking, and how it will react (or not react) with your other medications.

Doesn't matter if it's at a VA clinic/hospital, your base clinic/hospital, or a pharmacy out in town. You are entitled to consult with the pharmacist concerning your medications. It is your RIGHT to do so, and if they refuse you that one-on-one face time with the pharmacist, I would immediately raise a HUGE stink about it.

Remember, when it comes down to it, it's YOUR responsibility to ensure you're getting the best care possible.