Soldiers Dying Of Accidental Overdoses

[sabra]

Source: CBS News/AP

Recent Suicide Reports Casts Harsh Light On Prescription Drug Use In Treating The Wounded


(CBS/AP) There have been at least three accidental drug overdoses and four suicides among soldiers in special units the Army set up last summer to help war-wounded troops, officials said late Thursday.

A team of pharmacists and other military officials met early this week at the Pentagon to look into the deaths in so-called "warrior transition units" - established to give sick, injured and wounded troops coordinated medical care, financial advice, legal help and other services as they attempt to make the transition toward either a return to uniform or back into civilian life.

The Army said officials had determined that among those troops there have been 11 deaths that were not due to natural causes between June and Feb. 5.

...

Current Walter Reed patient Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside tried to kill herself just a few weeks ago but was found and saved, reports CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier.

"Army medical and safety professionals continue to remind soldiers and their families of the importance of prescription-drug safety precautions, including following the printed directions and information for each medicine," the Army said of the overdoses in a statement Thursday.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/15/national/main3836030.shtml

[unhappycamper]

1. Would you please post this in the Veterans forum also?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=259

Thanks.