Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Alas Babylon!; Future Snake Eater; bigheadfred; smoothsailing; xzins; Lancey Howard; jazusamo
AB, found this piece on HuffpoRobert Bales Charged: Military Scrambles To Limit Malaria Drug Just After Afghanistan Massacre P

"WASHINGTON -- Nine days after a U.S. soldier allegedly massacred 17 civilians in Afghanistan, a top-level Pentagon health official ordered a widespread, emergency review of the military’s use of a notorious anti-malaria drug called mefloquine.

Mefloquine, also called Lariam, has severe psychiatric side effects. Problems include psychotic behavior, paranoia and hallucinations. The drug has been implicated in numerous suicides and homicides, including deaths in the U.S. military. For years the military has used the weekly pill to help prevent malaria among deployed troops.

The U.S. Army nearly dropped use of mefloquine entirely in 2009 because of the dangers, now only using it in limited circumstances, including sometimes in Afghanistan. The 2009 order from the Army said soldiers who have suffered a traumatic brain injury should not be given the drug.

The soldier accused of grisly Afghanistan murders on March 17 of men, women and children, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, suffered a traumatic brain injury in Iraq in 2010 during his third combat tour. According to New York Times reporting, repeated combat tours also increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder. "...........

.........." On March 20, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Jonathan Woodson ordered a new, urgent review to make sure that troops were not getting the drug inappropriately. The task order from Woodson, obtained by The Huffington Post, orders an immediate “review of mefloquine prescribing practices” to be completed by the following Monday, six days after the order was issued.

“Some deployed service members may be prescribed mefloquine for malaria prophylaxis without appropriate documentation in their medical records and without proper screening for contraindications,” the order says. It notes that this review must include troops at “deployed locations.”



Army and Pentagon officials would not say whether Bales took the drug, citing privacy rules. When asked if Woodson’s mefloquine review was a response to the massacre, the military in Afghanistan referred the question to the Army. Army officials said they were “unaware” of the review. After being shown the task order via email, they stopped responding. The Secretary of Defense Office referred questions to the Army -- and then back to medical officials in the secretary’s office. Those officials have not responded.

But the sudden violence and apparent cognitive problems related to the crime Bales is accused of mirrors other gruesome cases."..........................
37 posted on 03/26/2012 2:40:43 PM PDT by Girlene
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies ]


To: Girlene
Mefloquine, also called Lariam, has severe psychiatric side effects.

Mrs. Bales would know if SSGT Bales was taking the drug, I would think. The lawyer needs to know, that's for sure.

38 posted on 03/26/2012 3:15:15 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

To: Girlene

Interesting, Girl. Thanks for the ping.


39 posted on 03/26/2012 3:53:53 PM PDT by jazusamo (Character assassination is just another form of voter fraud: Thomas Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

To: Girlene
You are one of the most astounding personages I have ever met. That God for (little) Girlenes.

Army and Pentagon officials would not say whether Bales took the drug, citing privacy rules. When asked if Woodson’s mefloquine review was a response to the massacre, the military in Afghanistan referred the question to the Army. Army officials said they were “unaware” of the review. After being shown the task order via email, they stopped responding. The Secretary of Defense Office referred questions to the Army -- and then back to medical officials in the secretary’s office. Those officials have not responded.

HAHAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAHAAHA! (SPIT)

46 posted on 03/26/2012 5:09:42 PM PDT by bigheadfred (INSANE MILITARY HATING LEFTIST /s)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson