Four soldiers kill their wives in a two month span. [1]
The [medical] team also said the anti-malaria drug Lariam, given to troops sent overseas, was unlikely to have been at fault. Side effects of the drug, also known as mefloquine, have been known to include psychotic episodes.
Two then committed suicide, the others were charged with murder. Oops, make that three, the third soldier was found dead in his cell - he was planning on using Lariam as his defense [2].
60 Minutes II Correspondent Vicki Mabrey reported in January that Wright was considering using Larium as part of his defense. Lown, now an ordained minister who visited Wright in jail every week, said Wright was “very confused, he was very paranoid, and I was like ‘Wow this is not the Bill that I knew’…About the fifth week after that, he was coherent. He was fine. He even said, ‘Well, I’m thinking a lot better now.’”
What does Lown think caused his change? “I think it was the medication. It took about two months for the stuff to clear out of your system.”
Lown and his unit had names for the days they took Lariam: “Everybody would call it Manic Mondays or Wild Wednesdays.”
Manic Mondays??? Psychotic episodes???
We’re giving our troops drugs that cause dangerous side effects? Then charge them with murder?
Are they still giving troops Lariam? Yes.
Do they tell High School Recruits about the psychotic episodes and murder/suicides? No.
Do people that order such practices really support the troops?