Combat Soldiers And The Psychotropic Drugs That They Use

NEW STATISTICS - Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, left, listens as Army National Guard Acting Director Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter discusses the Army's newly released suicide statistics for last year during a press conference at the Pentagon, Jan. 19, 2011. 2010. DOD photo by R. D. Ward

Concerns Raised About Combat Troops Using Psychotropic Drugs -- FOX News

As U.S. military leaders gathered Wednesday to give their latest update on the rash of Army suicides, new questions are being raised about a U.S. Central Command policy that allows troops to go to Iraq and Afghanistan with up to a six-month supply of psychotropic drugs.

Prescription drugs have already been linked to some military suicides, and a top Army official warned last year about the danger of soldiers abusing that medication. Psychiatrists are now coming down hard on the military for continuing to sanction certain psychotropic drugs for combat troops, saying the risk from side effects is too great.

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My Comment: I have posted on this disturbing story many times before .... but this FOX news report is very precise and descriptive in its analysis. Read it all.

Is Drug Use By U.S. Soldiers In Afghanistan A Big Problem?

'Kill Squad' Fallout: How Many US Troops In Afghanistan Use Hashish? -- Christian Science Monitor

Adm. Mike Mullen, the Pentagon's top officer, said Wednesday that the 'kill squad' allegations – that drug use could have been a factor in one unit's decision to allegedly kill Afghans for fun – raises questions about troops' use of hashish in Afghanistan.

The reports that US soldiers accused of plotting and then killing innocent civilians in Afghanistan smoked hashish have sparked concerns among US military officials about how often other US troops may use illegal drugs as well.

Hashish is plentiful and easy to obtain in Afghanistan, and its use has long been a source of concern for US military officials trying to gauge the performance of Afghan soldiers and police.

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My Comment: Russia has a heroin addiction problem that is one of the worse in the world .... a problem that started when returning Soviet soldiers from Afghanistan were found to be addicted to opiates.

Will the same happen to US and NATO soldiers? Fortunately, drug screening will red flag some of these problems, but many soldiers who are in FOBs will probably not be tested for a long period of time .... and the temptation to use drugs will always be there. And when it does become noticed, it is usually too late.

The military is not giving out any detailed information on how big of a problem drug use is among US soldiers in Afghanistan. But an article written by Megan Carpentier last year raises concerns that this is a serious problem, and what is worrisome (today) is that many of the concerns that Megan Carpentier raised last year have yet to be answered and/or addressed.