- Dec 18, 2011
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I've been seeing a lot of the network news shows talking about football injuries, especially head injuries, and suggesting that there is a strong link between that and the number of violent acts, including murder and suicide, committed by past players.
Yet, there is no discussion on the fact that many of the shooters in the mass killings were on anti-depressant drugs, which all have the potential for serious side effects, including violent behavior. Even the Chantix drug to help smokers quit can have dangerous side effects that affect a person's mood and behavior.
While the media focuses on video games and vilifying gun owners and advocates of the right to bear arms, they don't mention the state of mind of the violent offenders and what might have caused them to act that way. People who have a tendency toward violence, whether due to mental illness or side effects, pose a threat to the public. The Colorado shooter was also adept at making bombs and could have easily taken out everyone in the theater. Or he could have blocked the rear entrance and set a fire in the lobby, trapping everyone. I only bring that up to acknowledge the various options besides a gun. If a person is sick and determined, no good will come of it and there are worse things than guns should someone seek to murder. And once they decided to kill, they will do it by any means necessary.
While there are many factors and no two cases are exactly alike, prescription drugs seem to be a common link in many cases. Another thing that school shooters have in common is the feeling of being shunned by the school. Many were suspended at the time they attacked. Many had been bullied. We need to spot potential trouble before it happens. Attacking any problem at the root is always the wise choice.
The big pharmacies, even under strict government control, don't consistently put out safe drugs. There have been countless times when I've seen commercials for the latest and greatest medication, only to have them stop and shortly after were replaced by ads from lawyers asking people to join a class action lawsuit. My aunt was on 13 different medications. When she would develope new symptoms, she was always diagnosed with having another ailment, despite the fact that her symptoms were listed on several of her current meds as side effects.
Pharmacies sometimes seem to "own" doctors and hospitals. The offices are always full of items advertising for certain companies and sometimes, companies even supply them with expensive equipment. Strings are always attached. Many are loyal to certain companies and will always push their drugs. I, personally, don't believe most people really need all the meds they are on. If drugs actually made people better, the companies wouldn't sell as many. Now, the claim is that the drugs merely help them maintain health, which is true with some, such as blood pressure meds or heart pills. I think many are just the more expensive route for the insurance companies rather than the best choice for the patient.
I know people who are on meds for high cholesterol for life. Seems to me that the thing to do would be to change your diet, but instead, people are happy taking a pill and continuing their same eating habits. Of course, that would not keep big pharms going if people took more control over their own health. These days, there is a pill for everything and they have replaced self-discipline and breaking habits. Kids diagnosed with ADHD are given drugs and the parents are given money for a disabled child. A lifetime solution to what may have been a temporary problem, if handled correctly. I think many cases are simply the result of a bad diet and lack of discipline on part of the parents.
I think there are too many people taking too many prescription drugs and we keep learning the hard way that many of them have disastrous side effects.
There are so many things that affect peoples' attitudes. Constant exposure to violent movies and video games, lack of discipline, mental illness and too many pills add up to some mixed up individuals. Add bullying, abusive parents and other issues and you might have the recipe for a killer.
Treating the symptoms might only compound the problem. It's like pretending that the side effects are illnesses and treating them, only to cause more side effects.
What a vicious cycle with no end in sight.
Yet, there is no discussion on the fact that many of the shooters in the mass killings were on anti-depressant drugs, which all have the potential for serious side effects, including violent behavior. Even the Chantix drug to help smokers quit can have dangerous side effects that affect a person's mood and behavior.
While the media focuses on video games and vilifying gun owners and advocates of the right to bear arms, they don't mention the state of mind of the violent offenders and what might have caused them to act that way. People who have a tendency toward violence, whether due to mental illness or side effects, pose a threat to the public. The Colorado shooter was also adept at making bombs and could have easily taken out everyone in the theater. Or he could have blocked the rear entrance and set a fire in the lobby, trapping everyone. I only bring that up to acknowledge the various options besides a gun. If a person is sick and determined, no good will come of it and there are worse things than guns should someone seek to murder. And once they decided to kill, they will do it by any means necessary.
While there are many factors and no two cases are exactly alike, prescription drugs seem to be a common link in many cases. Another thing that school shooters have in common is the feeling of being shunned by the school. Many were suspended at the time they attacked. Many had been bullied. We need to spot potential trouble before it happens. Attacking any problem at the root is always the wise choice.
The big pharmacies, even under strict government control, don't consistently put out safe drugs. There have been countless times when I've seen commercials for the latest and greatest medication, only to have them stop and shortly after were replaced by ads from lawyers asking people to join a class action lawsuit. My aunt was on 13 different medications. When she would develope new symptoms, she was always diagnosed with having another ailment, despite the fact that her symptoms were listed on several of her current meds as side effects.
Pharmacies sometimes seem to "own" doctors and hospitals. The offices are always full of items advertising for certain companies and sometimes, companies even supply them with expensive equipment. Strings are always attached. Many are loyal to certain companies and will always push their drugs. I, personally, don't believe most people really need all the meds they are on. If drugs actually made people better, the companies wouldn't sell as many. Now, the claim is that the drugs merely help them maintain health, which is true with some, such as blood pressure meds or heart pills. I think many are just the more expensive route for the insurance companies rather than the best choice for the patient.
I know people who are on meds for high cholesterol for life. Seems to me that the thing to do would be to change your diet, but instead, people are happy taking a pill and continuing their same eating habits. Of course, that would not keep big pharms going if people took more control over their own health. These days, there is a pill for everything and they have replaced self-discipline and breaking habits. Kids diagnosed with ADHD are given drugs and the parents are given money for a disabled child. A lifetime solution to what may have been a temporary problem, if handled correctly. I think many cases are simply the result of a bad diet and lack of discipline on part of the parents.
I think there are too many people taking too many prescription drugs and we keep learning the hard way that many of them have disastrous side effects.
There are so many things that affect peoples' attitudes. Constant exposure to violent movies and video games, lack of discipline, mental illness and too many pills add up to some mixed up individuals. Add bullying, abusive parents and other issues and you might have the recipe for a killer.
Treating the symptoms might only compound the problem. It's like pretending that the side effects are illnesses and treating them, only to cause more side effects.
What a vicious cycle with no end in sight.
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