Reaction Mode
In the news:
January 9, 2024 Military.com
Defense Department to Begin Tracking Drug Overdoses, Providing Antidote Drug Naloxone
“A new law will require the Pentagon to start compiling data in 2024 on overdoses within the ranks, and to make available to troops an antidote for opioid overdoses, as the U.S. continues to battle increasing casualties from the fentanyl crisis.”
“…the Pentagon determined that the number of military deaths involving fentanyl doubled between 2017 and 2021, mirroring escalating fatalities nationally as the drug has flooded the country.”
“More than 330 service members died of drug overdoses in the five years before 2022. Ten percent of those deaths occurred on Fort Liberty alone, while 15,000 troops suffered non-fatal overdoses, the majority of which were accidental.”
“The surge in deaths is in large part because drug manufacturers began mixing fentanyl with other drugs to increase the intensity of a user’s high. Because of fentanyl’s extreme strength, it’s often a lethal combination. Gold Star mother Carole De Nola prefers the term “poisoning” to accidental overdoses involving fentanyl given that users often don’t know what’s in the drugs they’re using.”
Confusing paragraph above. Are “drug manufacturers” distributing legal or illegal drugs?
“The new drug requirements, wrapped up in the annual defense bill that was signed by President Joe Biden on Dec. 22, represents the most significant recent effort to combat overdoses within the ranks, and come at a time when Illegal drugs, primarily fentanyl, are projected to be a top national security threat in 2024.”
This article dances around the difference between legal and illegal drugs and drug abuse. Also the difference between veterans and those still in uniform:
“Improving data collection in the DoD now can mean better drug intervention efforts for veterans, after they exit the service, Bennett added.”
“We’ve been working with a lot of veterans who use substances while they’re in the military,” he said.
February 17, 2023 Military.com
‘You Can’t Fix the Problem If You’re in Denial:’ The Military’s Surge of Fentanyl Overdoses
“De Nola said that she doesn’t feel that the military has done enough.”
“We’re just trying to get the word out,” De Nola said of her efforts to warn troops of the dangers of fentanyl.
Homeland Security Vote of Confidence:
“Now in the so-called “third wave,” fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid, is illegally manufactured, usually in Mexico, and then shipped to the U.S., where local dealers frequently mix it to strengthen the potency of other drugs.”
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
I did some time in the USMC in the 80s and 90s. A zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs was in place. Ditto for taking any prescription drug that was not prescribed to you or taking it at any time after the prescription had expired.
The USMC was a separate part of society with separate rules and enforcement of those rules such as:
Random/unannounced urinalysis drug testing – not done in private- observer is present. This began in the early 80s after a temporary amnesty program was put in place. At 0400 or some similar time: random/unannounced drug dog searches at the barracks. At any time: drug dog searches of vehicles entering or preparing to leave the base. Random/unannounced drug dog searches at some random checkpoints inside the base.
80s/90s Vibe
The people I was with wanted to work with others who lived without illegal drugs in their system. If you were caught using illegal drugs, you would be discharged, your time in the USMC was over. People were good with it.
This two year old video seems about right for what I experienced in the 80s/90s:
Many comments are posted with the video above.
Today
Good news- fog down your buddy to reverse an overdose anytime the need comes up:
“On top of the new tracking requirements, the military must come up with a plan by 2025 to ensure Naloxone, a lifesaving drug that can reverse an overdose, be made available to all troops.”
Zero Questions Re:
The article fails to ask why these all volunteer troops may be wanting to escape reality with deadly or recreational drugs.
I have my own theories on this and they involve issues that are embarrassing to top generals, elected officials and newspeople who stopped asking questions about 30 years ago.
Happy, well adjusted people are not involved in life threatening drug abuse.
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam
My take:
Undeclared/unwon wars are now routine. Lies about The Troops being sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms is a worn out marketing strategy. It is propaganda that does not stand up to questioning and discussion. These drug abuse issues seem to run parallel to the increased troop suicides we have been hearing about.
Not a good look for Uncle Sam and the big recruiting crisis taking place at a time of increased military ambitions in far away lands.
From comments:
June, 12, 2023 The Washington Post
Fentanyl has taken a record toll on the Army. Families demand answers.
“Only a moron would use drugs in the Army. One positive urinalysis and boom, gone. As it should be.”
Related-
It’s a bullshit culture. You know it’s true:
Four-star officers and high level DOD civilians
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
How Long Before The USA Caves In On Itself?
Photo-
Something from the last century