Archive for the ‘Substance Abuse’ Category
Suicide Among Soldiers Rivals Combat Deaths
Nearly as many American soldiers have died of suicide as have been killed in combat in Afghanistan.
- There were 197 Army suicides in 2008, according to the Army’s numbers. The total includes active- and non-active-duty soldiers.
- Last year, the number was 245.
- This year, through May, it’s already 163.
The Army has instituted many programs to counsel and train soldiers with a goal of suicide prevention. Several of them have failed. Often, as soldiers transitioned from one assignment to another, the new station was unaware of past mental health issues.
Source: U.S. military branches (2001-09) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (latest figures through 2006)
Credit: Adrienne Wollman
The rates per 100,000 people of suicide among active-duty personnel in the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. The statistics show an increase in suicide rates since 2001, compared with the relatively steady rate of suicide among the U.S. civilian population.
So is it all related to combat? who is at risk?
- Soldiers in transition, moving from a combat zone back home,
- Those with alcohol abuse problems.
- Many cases appear to involve both alcohol and overdose of medication.
- The cases speak to the Army’s inability to deal with mental health issues.
Col. Chris Philbrick, director of the Army’s suicide prevention task force, recognizes that the Army took too long to recognize that it had a crisis on its hands. They are changing now, including:
- A five-year, $60 million study with the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Online resiliency programs designed to test emotional, mental and social fitness.
- The Army says its screening methods now are as strict as they could ever be.
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12 year Olds More Likely to Abuse Potentially Deadly Inhalants Than Cigarettes or Marijuana
New National Study Reveals 12 Year Olds More Likely to Use Potentially Deadly Inhalants than Cigarettes or Marijuana
Today, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in conjunction with the 18th annual National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week released a survey that indicates that more 12 year olds have used potentially deadly inhalants than cigarettes or marijuana, perceiving it to be “Safer”.
The need to increase awareness of this public health risk among physicians, parents and others is critical.
They may sniff refrigerant from air conditioning units, aerosol computer cleaners, glue, air fresheners, hair sprays, nail polish, paint solvents, degreasers, gasoline, or lighter fluids, with the intention of getting high. These substances are readily available, inexpensive, and easily hidden where they were found, in garages and household cabinets.
Most youth believe that huffing is “safer” than using illegal substances, and are unaware of its deadly potential. Most parents are not aware that use of inhalants can cause “Sudden Sniffing Death” – immediate death due to cardiac arrest – or lead to addiction and other health risks.
SAMHSA data from the 2006-2008 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health show a rate of lifetime inhalant use among 12 year olds of 6.9 percent, compared to a rate of 5.1 percent for nonmedical use of prescription type drugs; a rate of 1.4 percent for marijuana; a rate of 0.7 percent for use of hallucinogens; and a 0.1 rate for cocaine use.
“Parents must wake up to the reality that their child might try huffing and the consequences could be devastating,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “That’s why SAMHSA is leading the way to get information out to healthcare providers, kids, parents and everyone in the community so that our children hear a consistent message about the dangers of huffing.”
“Young people and their parents are key audiences for this important public information campaign about the clear and present dangers associated with inhalant abuse,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. “With data showing that young people often don’t perceive the great risk of abusing inhalants, we must redouble our efforts to inform adolescents of the dangers and to encourage parents to be more vigilant in protecting their children from inhalants often present in common household products.”
It is possible to die from trying inhalants even once. ‘Sudden Sniffing Death’ causes the heart to beat rapidly, which can result in cardiac arrest.