Maleria drug/suicide link

[AndyP]

I'm not sure if this was posted before (the search function isn't available to me) but has anyone else heard of this?
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_lariam_022604,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl Kinda scary that a drug that is supposed to keep you from a disease turns you pyscotic.

"Developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Lariam, known generically as mefloquine, is one drug used by soldiers in Iraq to prevent malaria, which is of particular concern in hot summer months. The Food and Drug Administration warns that Lariam can cause psychosis, aggression, paranoia, depression and thoughts of suicide. The FDA also warns of rare reports of suicide among Lariam users, although it says a link has not been established."

"Winkenwerder said Wednesday that the 21 confirmed suicides in Operation Iraqi Freedom mean a rate of 15.8 suicides per 100,000 soldiers per year. He compared that to Army suicide rates of between 9.1 and 14.8 per 100,000 in the Army between 1995 and 2002. "

"The military is ignoring this drug's known side effects," said Robinson. "In some cases, they are lying to family members and act as if they are baffled by the high suicide and depression rates."