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soldier made famous in iraq photo dies
Published Jul. 5, 2008
A former Army medic made famous by a photograph that showed him carrying an injured Iraqi boy during the first week of the war has died of an apparent overdose, police said.
Link to Story here
"WAs it really necessary to report that he died of an overdose? I guess respect for his family never occurs to media that turn it into a story on Iraq." --1Moms_view
I agree to with the comment above, as a person who is prescribed narcotic medication as a medical necessity, I find it sickening that every incident of overdose is regarded as drug abuse and is played by the media and the public that the victim is nothing more than a useless druggie.
Not even a week ago, fellow Goloer OldReb posted a blog about his instance of accidental overdose regarding narcotic cough medicine. These powerful medications are often overused simply in error, nothing more. To go further, I am CERTAIN that many people who jump on their soapboxes have ABSOLUTELY no clue regarding just HOW easy it is to overdose on a prescription medicine without even realizing it! Case in point... The medication that I am currently on is administered thorough trans dermal means and many people would overdose in short order by simply touching one of my dermal patches.
From all the previous news coverage regarding this young man, I have NO reason to believe that is was an intentional overdose, however, I will wait for more details before coming to my conclusion.
Just for ONCE it would be nice to follow a story without all the much unneeded sensationalism being interjected. After all, it may have not even been a medicine that produces a high, overdosing on many prescription medicines may result in death, intentional or not. *Sheesh!*
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GOLO member since June 16, 2008
July 6, 2008 8:35 a.m.
True I lost my husband in 1980 to PTSD. Never was right since Vietnam. Shot himself in April, dressed in his jungle fatigues, thinking he was going back to Nam. The season of TET that drove him nuts in the first place..........BAck then they didn't even recognize PTSD as they do now............
GOLO member since July 7, 2007
July 5, 2008 2:03 p.m.
GOLO member since July 20, 2007
July 5, 2008 1:26 p.m.
GOLO member since January 20, 2008
July 5, 2008 1:10 p.m.
Anyway, long story short, I was prescribed a new medication, stadol nasal spray, and thought I was told to do one spray in each nostril. The next time severe migraine pain hit, I stumbled into the kitchen (coordination is usually shot) and did that. Made me very sick. After being very sick, I managed to read the label, ONE spray in ONE nostril,,not one in each
GOLO member since July 20, 2007
July 5, 2008 12:54 p.m.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 5, 2008 12:30 p.m.
There is a big difference in severe overdosing and having interaction to a drug due to individual circumstances. Another whole subject. There are exceptions in any subject, but the heavy majority of accidental over doses are from people misunderstanding the medication or not truly reading all the important info that goes with it, and following all the instructions.
GOLO member since July 7, 2007
July 5, 2008 12:10 p.m.
GOLO member since September 5, 2007
July 5, 2008 12:08 p.m.
That clears up things a bit... In truth the cause of his death was huffing basically. The use of the medication should have been left out as it probably didn't have an impact on the overall outcome, "huffing" is VERY dangerous and can cause sudden death.
My point is and has been, the social attack on psychoactive medication and those prescribed it, is VERY unnecessary. This guy's fate was brought to him through the means of poor judgment, and possibly depression, not his meds.
GOLO member since September 5, 2007
July 5, 2008 12:04 p.m.
GOLO member since July 29, 2007
July 5, 2008 12:00 p.m.
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