Psychiatric Drugs: Create Violence & Suicide

Psychiatric Drugs:Psychiatric Drugs: Create Violence & Suicide

School ShootingsSchool Shootings & Other Acts of Senseless Violence& Other Acts of Senseless Violence

A public interest report published by Citizens Commission on Human Rights International A Mental Health Industry Watchdog March 2018

As violent acts rise, law enforcement should look to a common denominator.

Psychiatric Drugs Create Violence & Suicide: Putting the Community at Risk

School Shootings & Other Acts of Senseless Violence

A public interest report published by Citizens Commission on Human Rights International A Mental Health Industry Watchdog March 2018

Contents

Violence: Psychotropic Drugs’ Best Kept Secret

lthough there can be numerous reasons Drugpoopnetpspnagehmgpyidscpfpnag

A for mass murder, violent crime and suicide,

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with just as many solutions proposed to curb it

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and funding poured into its prevention, senseless acts of violence continue unabated, - Joseph Glenmullen

with more than 80 dead and 500 injured Harvard Medical School Psychiatrist between the Las Vegas concert shooting on October 1, 2017 and Texas church shooting on

is well established.”  Media quote experts saying that such

• Patrick D. Hahn individuals are “mentally disturbed,” or have Affiliate Professor of Biology, “untreated mental illness,” but that doesn’t Loyola University Maryland explain the level of violence we are seeing or what drives a person to pull a trigger or intentionally crash an airplane, killing all 150

“Violence and other potentially

people on board. The facts paint a disturbing

criminal behavior caused by

picture. A review of scientific literature

prescription drugs are

published in Ethical Human Psychology and

medicine’s best kept secret.” 

Psychiatry regarding the “astonishing rate” of

prescribed to treat it. š Mental disorder is not a predictor of aggressive behavior, but rather the adverse effects of the drugs prescribed to treat it. Whatever psychiatric assessment, Drug proponents argue that there are many “treatment,” including the drugs reportedly shootings and acts of violence that have not given the teen charged over the Parkland been correlated to psychiatric (psychotropic) school massacre, all failed to predict or prevent drugs, but that is exactly the point. It has the murderous outcome and potentially neither been confirmed nor refuted, as law exacerbated his troubled mental state. enforcement is not required to investigate or report on prescribed drugs linked to violence, Since the introduction of antipsychotic drugs in and media rarely pose the question. 1955 and the newer Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants, like Prozac, in 1987, both are documented to be linked to violent effects in a percentage of the people taking them.

Russian Roulette with Psychotropic Drugs

they would carry out violent acts? It’s a case of

Of nearly 410 psychiatric drug warnings, 27 playing Russian roulette with their lives. warned of violence, aggression, hostility, mania,

antidepressant use and marked by symptoms that include agitation, restlessness and Take, for example, David Hawkins. On May

confusion. 25, 2001, an Australian judge blamed the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) for turning Professor Healy suspects that the main causal this peaceful, law-abiding man into a violent factor behind suicide and violence while taking killer. Hawkins had no history of violence or antidepressants is increased mental and/or suicidality and had remained gainfully physical agitation, which leads to about five employed throughout his life. Judge Barry percent of subjects taking the drugs to drop out O’Keefe said that had Mr. Hawkins not

Antidepressant Clinical Trial Subjects Drop Out Because of Agitation

41 million Americans

Increased mental and/or physical agitation has led to

on antidepressants about 5% of subjects taking antidepressants to drop out of clinical trials. Were this percentage applied to the 41 million in the U.S. taking antidepressants, how many of those 2.05 million could potentially become so agitated that they would carry out violent acts? It’s playing Russian roulette with their lives and their prospective victims.

5% or 2.05 million can experience “increased agitation”

would not have been killed….” € Further, involved brutal violence and use of a flick “The killing was totally out of character” knife. ¤ and “inconsistent with the loving, caring

The doxepin was later replaced with

nine-month-old granddaughter before killing himself. The jury determined that Add to that those that had undergone paroxetine “can cause some people to psychiatric treatment, driving cars into and

The victims were aged from 4 to 83. Noori In another case, a mother had a baby was undergoing “mental health treatment,”

and Violence” study, she had never before

Of 409 official psychiatric drug warnings:

warned of warned of violence, warned of death linked warned of self-harm, mania, psychosis, or increased risk emotional addiction or suicide or hostility, of death problems to withdrawal suicidal ideation aggression or the drugs effects homicidal ideation

Self-Harm, 9

Sexual Dysfunction, 5 Abnormal Bleeding, 12

Addiction or Withdrawal, 17

Cardiovascular Disorders or Heart Problems, 107 Blood Disorders, 22

Involuntary Movements, 23

Liver Problems, 24

Violence, Mania, Psychosis, Hostility, Aggression or Homicidal Ideation, 27 Psychological Problems, 99 Serotonin Syndrome, 27

Emotional Problems (including depression), 35

Allergic Reactions, 36 All Other, 78

Death or Increased Risk or Death, 43

Suicide or

Newborn Complications, 45

Suicidal Ideation, 48

Note: Some warnings include multiple side effects.

No History of Violence Until Prescribed Zoloft

On May 25, 2001, Judge Barry O’Keefe blamed the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) for turning David Hawkins, a peaceful, law-abiding man, into a violent killer. Hawkins had no history of violence and had remained gainfully employed throughout his life. Judge O’Keefe said that had Hawkins not taken the antidepressant, “it is overwhelmingly probable” that his wife, “would not have been killed....” It was “inconsistent with the loving, caring relationship which existed between him and his wife and with their happy marriage of 50 years.” Hawkins was sentenced to three years in prison.

Judge Barry O’Keefe

U.S. Psychotropic Drug Sales & Use Soar: Suicide Increase

2011

in non-discount U.S. spending take prescription, on psychiatric drugs mind-altering drugs 

2015

Number of psychiatric drug prescriptions  Suicide rate increase

Psychiatric drug prescriptions, including sedatives, antidepressants, psycho-stimulants and antipsychotics (psychotropic drugs), keep soaring. ˆ‰ Acts of violence and suicide may incrementally be increasing because of the massive increase in these prescription psychotropic drugs. In the wake of massive increases in psychotropic drug use in the U.S., the CDC reported that from 1999 to 2014 the suicide rate increased 24 percent. ˆ“

“There is enough coincidence and enough professional opinion from legitimate scientists [about psychotropic drugs and violence] to cause us to raise the issue and to ask further questions.”

common denominator between the cases of school shooters she cited at the time. ˆ£

In response, Colorado State Representative, Penn Pfiffner, chaired a hearing into the

enough coincidence and enough professional Those with a vested, financial interest will opinion from legitimate scientists to cause us to continue to champion the use of such drugs, as raise the issue and to ask further questions.” the psychiatric-pharmaceutical drug industry Further, “If we’re only interested in debating gun

international response.” ˆ© The groundbreaking article, “Guns and Doses,”

rampages is growing at a disturbing rate—and the shootings at Columbine became a national wake-up call—few in the mental health community have been willing to talk about the possibility that the heavily prescribed drugs and violence may be linked.” Such drugs were the

“Legal systems are likely to continue to be faced with cases of violence associated with the use of psychotropic drugs, and it may fall to the courts to demand access to currently unavailable data. The problem is international and calls for an international response.” Professor David Healy, 2006 Psychiatrist & Psychopharmacologist

899 9

lthough not every violent killer has been irritability are among the side effects of taking

A on or withdrawing from a psychotropic diazepam, according to its manufacturer. Œš

drug at the time of committing a crime, in many

former middle school classmate said that Kelley

tax auditor had been given a prescription for 50 ten-milligram Valium (diazepam) tablets on June The Daily Mail quoted Kelley’s best friend from

asked whether he had a good relationship with

has one of the country’s largest psychiatric However, tolerance and dependence can hospital chains that has been plagued in recent develop quickly with this class of drugs, also years with allegations of staffing issues leading

Hollomon Air Force Base.” Œ¬ Police officers antidepressant Luvox (fluvoxamine), which has captured Kelley and returned him to the side effects of mania that is linked to violent hospital for a couple of more weeks before the behavior. In a clinical trial of the drug, four military picked him up for his court-martial. Œ® percent treated with fluvoxamine experienced manic reactions, compared to none of the Popular stimulant drugs can cause aggressive placebo patients. šƒ Mania is described as a behavior, manic episodes and psychotic “form of psychosis characterized by exalted symptoms like hallucinations. The U.S. Food feelings, delusions of grandeur…and and Drug Administration (FDA) has received overproduction of ideas.” šŒ hundreds of reports of aggressive behavior in

them. While some of these factors existed in a

current psychiatric treatment, especially Eric Harris, the ringleader in the Columbine mind-altering drugs. High School shooting, was taking the

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here are numerous drug regulatory agency taking them are not hindered in their plan and

T reports, studies and expert opinion that execution of mass murder and, in fact, the drugs

violence and homicidal ideation.

The Emergency Psychiatry journal says that what is labeled as “homicidal” may “range from Antipsychotic or neuroleptic (meaning nerve globally aggressive thoughts... to a specific lethal seizing) drugs have been linked to hostility and plan with available means to carry it out.” ‘‘ aggression. They can damage the Despite the mind-altering, and sometimes extrapyramidal system (EPS)—the extensive numbing effects of psychiatric drugs, those complex network of nerve fibers that moderates

A Prescription for Murder?

In July 2017, a BBC UK Panorama documentary, “A Prescription for Murder?” explored the role of antidepressants in the shooting rampage James Holmes, 24, committed at the Aurora, Colorado cinema on July 20, 2012. Holmes, with no prior history of violence, was taking an antidepressant, sertraline, the generic of Zoloft, when he coldly executed 12 innocent people and injured dozens more at a midnight screening of the Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. Professor David Healy, who interviewed Holmes prior to his trial in 2015, told the BBC, “I believe if he hadn’t taken the [antidepressant] sertraline, he wouldn’t have murdered anyone.” ‘’

Panorama and Professor Healy detailed how the psychiatrist who treated Holmes had tripled his antidepressant dose from 50 mg to 150 mg per day over several appointments. There was a steep decline in James’ behavior after starting the antidepressant. Medical records show that decline occurring fewer than four weeks after starting the pills. Holmes was displaying “psychotic level thinking. Guarded, paranoid, hostile thoughts he won’t elaborate on.” Holmes himself wrote in a notebook, which he posted to the psychiatrist just before the shootings, about the effects the antidepressant was having on him. “Anxiety and fear disappears. No more fear, no more fear of failure,” he wrote. “No fear of consequences.” ‘˜ Drug use and effects do not excuse the crime—Holmes received 12 life sentences plus another 3,318 years in prison—but it may explain the drug-induced frame of mind that can drive a number of consumers to commit such heinous acts.

Antipsychotics, often forcibly given patients, have disturbing effects, including aggressive behavior from drug-induced akathisia

e

Akathisia (inability to sit still)

• Restless Although the severity of
• Trouble standing still these akathisia
• Paces the floor sensations varies, they
• Feet in constant motion, rocking back and forth can become intolerable and are associated with violence and suicide. Acute Dystonia (muscular spasm) Akathisia may begin within several days after

• Facial grimacing treatment but usually
• Involuntary upward eye movement increases with duration of
• Muscle spasms of tongue, face, neck & back treatment, occurring in up (back muscle spasms cause trunk to arch forward) to 50% of cases within
• Laryngeal spasms one month and 90% of cases within three months. ‘ª Between 20% and 75% of people who

Tardive Dyskinesia (abnormal movement) take antipsychotics

• Protrusion and rolling the tongue experience akathisia—

• Facial involuntary movements
• Involuntary movements of the body and extremities motor control—resulting in muscle rigidity, movement disorder in which a person’s muscles spasms, and various involuntary movements. ‘« contract uncontrollably. Yet another is called tardive dyskinesia (tardive, meaning “late” and One drug-induced effect is called akathisia [a, dyskinesia meaning, “abnormal movement”) without; kathisia, sitting—an inability to keep and is an impairment, often permanent, of the still]. It’s a torturous condition where the power of voluntary movement of the lips, sufferer feels an incredible, irresistible tongue, jaw, fingers, toes and other bodyparts. ’¶ restlessness that creates constant repetitive

drugs, that’s a potential 1.3 and 5.1 million who Another disturbing effect is dystonia (from dys, may experience this damage. ’μ Akathisia is meaning bad or ill and tonos, tension), a now also associated with SSRI antidepressants. ’‘

program. Taking a moderate five percent, then,

psychosis, hostility, violence and homicidal ideation (thoughts or fantasies of homicide). ““ Researchers also took the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System data and of 484 prescription

included 25 psychotropic drugs. “” Their

disorder (ADHD). The specific cases of The FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System has violence included: homicide, physical assaults,

31 Prescription Drugs Linked to Violence, 79% were Psychiatric

Researchers took the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System data

(psychiatric) drugs. Their findings, published in Public Library of Science ONE, included 11 antidepressants, six sedative/hypnotics and three drugs for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The specific cases of violence included: homicide, physical assaults, physical abuse, homicidal ideation, and cases described as violence-related symptom.

Other Drugs, 6 (21%)

Psychotropic Drugs Associated with the Highest Rates of Violence Compared to Other Drugs

Antidepressants include: Stimulants (for ADHD):

Fluvoxamine (Luvox) 8.4 times Venlafaxine (Effexor) 8.3 times

Reports to FDA’s MedWatch System on Violent Adverse Effects Linked to Psychiatric Drugs

The FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System has at 1,530 - Actual Number of Reports to FDA least 1,530 reports of homicide or homicidal ideation linked to psychiatric drugs. FDA admits that only 1% - 10% of drug side effects are reported

to its MedWatch program. Taking a moderate 5%, 30,620 - Potential Number Unreported to FDA the potential number of reported incidents could be as high as 30,620. A percent of those could be driven to commit violent crimes.

Homicidal Ideation, 971

Hostility, 694 Mania, 3,287 Physical Assault, 582

Homicide, 560

Breakdown of Psychosis, 235 FDA’s MedWatch System Psychotropic Violence Related Symptoms, 226 Drug Violent Reports

c

Aggression, 8,219

International Drug Agency Warnings on Violence

Hostility, 14 (41%) Mania, 13 (41%) Homicidal Ideation, 1 (4%)

Violent Behavior or

Drug Regulatory have been issued on psychiatric Agency Warnings drugs being linked to mania, Relating to Psychiatric

Aggression, 12 (22%) violence, psychosis and Drug-Induced homicidal ideation (thoughts or Violence ‰Š fantasies of homicide).

Agitation, 15 (26%) Psychosis or Psychotic Episodes, 8 (37%)

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avid Kirschner, Ph.D., a New York Further, “Most of the young murderers I have D psychologist says: “As a forensic personally examined had…been in ‘treatment’

“Sadly however, most of the young people who kill had been in ‘treatment,’ prior to the violence, albeit with less than successful results.”

From This... To Giggling Over Mass Murder

Prior to the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, Eric Harris, the ringleader, underwent court-ordered counseling, including anger management, for stealing a car. He was also part of a “death education” class at school in which students were asked to imagine their own death. Harris was taking an antidepressant known to cause suicidal thoughts and mania, a form of psychosis characterized by exalted feelings, delusions and overproduction of ideas. He had a dream where Eric Harris he and his friend, Dylan Klebold, went on a shooting rampage. Shortly afterwards, he and Klebold killed 12 students, a teacher and wounded 23 others before shooting and killing themselves.

Children on Psychotropic Drugs

A statistical analysis of more than three decades of data shows that in 2011 the United States

Number of reported mass

entered a new period in which mass shootings shootings per year were occurring more frequently. The annual

Drug Administration placed its most stringent

’09 - ’12 black box on antidepressant packaging to warn of the risk of suicidal behavior and thinking in those younger than 18, and later up to age 25.

A statistical analysis of more than three [psychotropic] drugs becomes an iatrogenic

Ritalin) and a powder keg has been

In 2014, Charles Gant, MD, Ph.D. and Greg created, waiting for a spark. Lewis, Ph.D. wrote that “criminal activity by young people under the influence of

1766 77 67

he theory that a person is violent because reported in The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: T he “stopped taking his medication” is “It is now accepted that all major classes of misleading and omits the fact that it is more psychiatric medication produce distinctive likely to be the withdrawal from a drug of withdrawal effects which mostly reflect their dependence that is experienced—not the return pharmacological activity.” Further, “Just like the of the person’s “untreated mental illness.” various substances that are used recreationally, Numerous studies and expert opinion cited in each type of psychiatric medication induces a this report supports this. Psychotropic drug distinctive altered mental and physical state….,” withdrawal destroys mental faculties and the researchers reported. § creates impulsivity. And it can last years.

“Furthermore,” they said, “discontinuation of The journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics most psychoactive substances after chronic use

review of the scientific literature shows quite Dr. Stuart Shipko, a California psychiatrist who clearly that it is the drug-based paradigm of has published reports on SSRI antidepressant care that is fueling this modern-day plague.” ¨ withdrawal, said his “clinical observation is that long-lasting symptoms occur even in patients Britain’s drug regulatory agency warned that all who taper very slowly, not just those who stop SSRI antidepressants “may be associated with quickly, and that there is no guarantee that withdrawal” and noted that Paxil and Effexor these symptoms will go away no matter how “seem to be associated with a greater long the patient waits.” –¦ frequency of withdrawal reactions.” ©

British psychiatrist Joanna Moncrieff and others Professor Heather Ashton became a leading

authority on benzodiazepine withdrawal in the The FDA also warns that quitting United Kingdom after managing a large benzodiazepines abruptly can result in more

hallucinations, paranoid thoughts, rage, aggression and irritability to name but a few.  In fact, as John M. Grohol, Psy.D., a researcher, points out, the FDA “doesn’t require In an article on protracted withdrawal pharmaceutical companies to conduct symptoms, Dr. Ashton also said that in chronic withdrawal studies in order to analyze a drug’s users of the drugs, a “sizeable minority, perhaps impact when it’s time to discontinue it. It only

with a peak in severity around two weeks post-withdrawal, she said. ‰

Withdrawal Effects are No. 1 Antidepressant Adverse Reaction Reported to FDA

Drug Exposure During

Pregnancy, 7.68% Drug Withdrawal Syndrome, 12.64%

Suicidal Ideation, 8.04%

Nausea, 12.05% Depression, 9.04%

Insomnia, 9.15% Dizziness, 11.23%

Headache, 9.18% Drug Ineffective, 11.10%

Anxiety, 9.89%

A person “stopping taking his medication” is not the source of violent acts, but likely withdrawal effects from a prescription drug of dependence. Withdrawal effects are common with antidepressant and other psychotropic drugs that include disturbed mood, irritability and impaired concentration that may last months or even years.

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similar treatment that likely caused or exacerbated the behavior in the first place. James Holmes, prescribed an antidepressant, is a This isn’t a deterrent to violent behavior and good example. At his fourth appointment with his psychiatrists admit they can’t predict violence psychiatrist, Lynne Fenton at the University of

anyway. Colorado Denver, on 17 April, 2012, Holmes told her that his homicidal thoughts had increased. ¬ Consider Parkland school shooter Nikolas “Aside from the fact that you have a guy who is Cruz. He spent years attending Henderson now actively beginning to think and plan about Mental Health Clinic. Police were called to his harming others in a way that he just hadn’t been

signals. ¯ In an article in the Rutgers Law Review, Henry Steadman and Joseph Cocozza concluded, Holmes’ mother Arlene said she didn’t even know “There is no empirical evidence to support the James was being treated by a psychiatrist until position that psychiatrists have any special more than a month before the shooting. expertise in accurately predicting According to Arlene, the psychiatrist never dangerousness.” › informed her that her son was having murderous thoughts. “She never said he was thinking of “There is no instrument that is specifically killing people. I would have been crawling on all useful or validated for identifying potential fours to get to him. She didn't tell me.” ± school shooters or mass murderers,” according to Stephen D. Hart, a psychologist Edmund Kemper III was the inspiration behind the at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, film Silence of the Lambs and a key player in

quoted in The Washington Post in 2013. › Netflix’s Mindhunter. At 15, he shot dead his grandparents. After five years at Atascadero State An American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Hospital, psychiatrists released him as

society….” Kemper went on to kill and dismember The APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of six women and then his mother, having sex with Mental Disorders (DSM) contains a cautionary her decapitated head. › The late District Attorney notice about not using the manual for forensic Peter Chang said two psychiatrists had declared purposes as there are significant risks that the Kemper harmless midway through his murder information will be misused or misunderstood. ‘ spree.  Kemper is now serving eight life sentences.

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f potential aggressive and violent acts and the number of heroin overdose deaths. The

Isuicide being linked to psychotropic drugs biggest killers were sedatives (benzodiazepines

were not enough, often these drugs are also such as Xanax and Z-drugs such as Ambien), abused. And there is the risk of inadvertent or antidepressants, psychostimulants (Ritalin, deliberate overdose leading to death. amphetamine, and methamphetamine), and antipsychotics. Š Between 1999 and 2013, death rates from overdose of prescription psychiatric drugs rose Prescriptions for benzodiazepines (sedative

an astonishing 240 percent.  hypnotics) more than tripled and fatal overdoses more than quadrupled between 1996

No. Of Psychiatric Drug Prescriptions 1999-2013

250,000,000

0

1999 2001 2007 2010201120122013 2000 20022003200420052006 20082009

Psychiatric Drugs Cause More Overdose Deaths Than Heroin

3.5

3 Heroin 10,574 2.5 Sedatives 2 15,778

1.5 Antidepressants Combined

1 Total Psychosimulants

0.5 Overdoses Deaths per 100,000 Antipsychotics 0

1999 2001 2007 20102011201220132014 2000 20022003200420052006 20082009

In 2014, 10,574 people died of heroin overdose while 15,778 died from an overdose of psychiatric drugs, nearly 50% more.

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Deputy Chief of Police of one of the largest was, instead, involuntarily committed to a

Apolice departments in the U.S. stated that psychiatric facility. This was despite his already

the police sit in the front row seats of the chaos being admitted to a mental institution and, in society. That chaos is evident in news according to a family friend, was released a headlines that report increasing numbers of week before the killing. seemingly psychotic, irrational acts of violence, some of which appear to have no motive. While clearly a troubled and unstable man, the question is whether the drugs he was

2015—an average of 144 police officers was

compared with the 41 officers killed in 2015. „¡

assaults. Police officers report such situations as problematic because persons with mental Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D., head of the International illness may not respond well to traditional Coalition for Drug Awareness, said we have a police tactics.” „” whole new vocabulary today as a result of widespread antidepressant use, with terms Consider the horrific case reported in March such as “road rage,” “murder/suicide,” “going

2017 of North Carolina resident, 18-year-old postal” and “suicide by cop.” „¤ Oliver Funes Machado, who decapitated his mother because “he felt like it.” The first deputy “Suicide by cop” is where someone deliberately on the scene reported that Machado was puts a plan in motion to compel officers to use “carrying a knife in one hand and a severed deadly force. When officers are involved in human head in the other.” Charged with first such incidents, when the person wants them to degree murder, Machado was on four take their life, “it is completely outside the rubric psychiatric drugs at the time of the crime. „˜ In of what policing is about,” David Klinger, a

but in San Diego, a report by the District Furthermore, how many police are killed in the

A Case Study

26, who worked at the Spokane Veteran’s Administration Hospital at the time of the Burton apologized to the officer who shot him, incident, testified during his trial that he was saying he knew the shooting caused trying to force police to shoot him as part of a psychological trauma to the officer. “Nobody “suicide by cop” plan. He had previously was supposed to get hurt,” he said. “I’m attempted suicide by overdosing on apologetic to all the officers involved that night. prescription drugs while on the antidepressant It shouldn’t have happened.” ª® Paxil. Despite the fact that Paxil can cause suicidal thoughts, doctors had doubled his dose Regarding Paxil, Burton stated: “I should have of the antidepressant. never been put on that drug. When I made my first suicide attempt, I should have been Officer Nicholas Spolski shot Burton in the immediately taken off that drug.” ª° abdomen after Burton emerged from his yard into an alley, ignoring multiple commands to Manhattan-based psychiatrist and author Kelly drop the gun. At trial, Burton testified he had Brogan, MD, said she put down her prescription unloaded his gun before walking out into the pad after learning three facts about psychiatric alley and intended to provoke police into drugs: shooting him. „ª They result in worse long-term outcomes; Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michael They are debilitatingly habit forming; Price was required by law to sentence Burton to They cause unpredictable violence. ª… 10 years but said that the vet was a father of two children, had no criminal record and had Our societies and law enforcement often bear served his country honorably as a combat the consequences of these drugs. medic. Additionally, the Veterans

“Suicide by Cop Study”

of police shootings are suicide by cop “Suicide by cop is happening so often that one

36%

study called it a rising tide that must be stopped.” - NewsOn6 in Oklahoma. In

have a gun or fake gun November 2014, Attorney Scott Wood, who has

80%

represented dozens of officers involved in shootings in the past two decades said, “Since

involve men the early 90s, suicide by cop has tripled.” ª’

95%

Medical Solutions CreateReal Mental Health Care

n his June 2017 report on global mental run across countless people with chronic back

Ihealth care, United Nations Health Rights pain who were labeled neurotic. A typical

Special Rapporteur Dr. Dainius Pūras stated. “I statement from these poor patients is ‘I thought am calling on states to move away from I really was going crazy.’” †Ÿ The last thing a traditional practices and thinking and enable a person needs is a drug that masks and long overdue shift to a rights-based approach. exacerbates the problem. The status quo is simply unacceptable.” †‡ He added: “Mental health policies and services are The California Department of Mental Health in crisis—not a crisis of chemical imbalances, Medical Evaluation Field Manual stated, “Mental but of power imbalances. We need bold health professionals working within a mental political commitments, urgent policy responses health system have a professional and a legal and immediate remedial action.” obligation to recognize the presence of physical disease in their patients...physical diseases may There are numerous medical and non-harmful cause a patient’s mental disorder [or] may alternatives to subjective psychiatric labeling worsen a mental disorder.…” †£ and potentially harmful drugs. Such options must rely upon standard medical examination Dr. Mary Ann Block, a best-selling author,

causes of the symptoms.” †¥ Although Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) does not condone or promote Medical facilities need to be established that any specific practitioner, medical organization, have a full complement of diagnostic equipment practice or group, it does respect and to use to locate underlying physical conditions recommend that anyone with a mental in those presenting with “psychiatric” health/behavioral problem seek competent symptoms. Government and private funds medical care, especially to ascertain whether an should be channeled into this and cut for undiagnosed, untreated physical condition may abusive psychiatric institutions that rely on be manifesting as a “psychiatric” symptom. mind-controlling drugs rather than legitimate medical help. Treatment that heals should be For example, Dr. Thomas Dorman, an internist, delivered in a calm atmosphere characterized said, “Clinicians should first of all remember by tolerance, safety, security and respect for that emotional stress associated with a chronic people’s rights. illness or a painful condition can alter the patient’s temperament. In my practice I have Visit: https://www.cchrint.org/alternatives

Summary

he information in this report is not to

Recommendations

Texcuse violent crimes and make the

psychotropic drugs are called that because they

levels of law enforcement could access. For Doctors Charles Gant and Greg Lewis wrote: example, a New York Assembly Bill

from committing a gun crime. In the meantime,

influenced by these drugs.

This report is to provide law enforcement,

medication.”

Citizens Commission on Human Rights International

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights mental health system and ensuring legal (CCHR) is a non-profit, non-political and protections are afforded them.” non-religious mental health watchdog

to enact protections for and increase consumer rights, especially informed consent rights and to CCHR’s work aligns with the U.N. Universal raise public awareness about psychiatric Declaration of Human Rights, in particular the

abuses. following precepts: Article 3: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person” and

group that has obtained more than 180 consumer/mental health patient-protection In an effort to provide accurate information, laws in the world, receiving recognition from the CCHR has made available on its website Special Rapporteur to the United Nations (www.cchrint.org) a psychiatric drug search

400,000 adverse reaction reports on psychiatric Congressional recognitions of its work include a drugs filed with the U.S. FDA on psychiatric resolution by Congresswoman Diane Watson drugs. and others, acknowledging that “CCHR has secured numerous reforms around the world, https://www.cchrint.org/psychdrugdangers/ safeguarding others from abuses in the

CCHR International 6616 Sunset Blvd • Los Angeles, CA 90028 • USA (323) 467-4242 humanrights@cchr.org www.cchrint.org Twitter: @CCHRInt • Facebook: @CCHRInternational • Instagram: @CCHRInt • YouTube: @CCHRInt

CCHR Recognitions

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES organizationdevoted to the highest ideals of RESOLUTION: “CCHR has secured numerous mental health services.” - CA State reforms around the world, safeguarding others Representative Raymond N. Haynes from abuses in the mental health system and ensuring legal protections are afforded them.” “I found all of your personnel very positive, eager, intelligent and exceptionally well “CCHR is a shining example of what people can informed on issues that are obscure to the accomplish in a free society. Through united majority of the population.... I commend you and action, effective education and advocacy, CCHR your staff for the tireless energy and unselfish has helped to bring about critically needed commitment to solving one of societies healthcare reforms that make our society and neglected and secret problems—'experimental country a better place.” - Congressman Dan psychiatry.’” - Dennis D. Bauer, Senior Deputy Burton District Attorney, Orange County, California

CERTIFICATE OF SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL “I would like to congratulate the Citizens RECOGNITION: Congress recognizes “the Commission on Human Rights for its consistent Citizens Commission on Human Rights for its work in exposing fraudulent and harmful longstanding commitment to advancing the practices in the field of mental health. The fundamental freedoms set forth in the Universal CCHR staff is a dedicated group. Their Declaration of Human Rights and the expertise, publications, and reports are a tool Nuremberg Code. CCHR serves as a stellar for any investigator conducting investigations example of the united power of individuals who into mental health fraud or other criminal achieve reform through dedicated efforts to activity in the system. CCHR’s work and better society and effective education and materials also alert consumers and the public advocacy. We recognize CCHR for the many about the degree of mental health fraud and great reforms it has championed, which today abuse that they, too, can easily become a victim protect individuals against cruel, inhumane and of.” - Dennis Cowan, former Health Care Fraud degrading treatment and for its leadership role Investigator, California in raising public awareness so that dignity and human rights can be returned to all men.” - U.S. “I congratulate CCHR for its efforts to protect Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Senator individuals from cruel, inhumane, and Diane Watson, Congressman Dan Sherman degrading treatments.” – U.S. Congressman

Ron Paul CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY

RECOGNITION: “[CCHR] is renowned for its “We broadly recognize CCHR’s unprecedented long-standing work aimed at preventing the fight in mankind’s history against psychiatric inappropriate labeling and psychotropic abuses, its protection of children from abusive drugging of children.... The contributions that practices and treatments and encourage the Citizens Commission on Human Rights CCHR’s humanitarian work.” - Committee of International has made to the local, national and Science and Technology, Federal House of international areas on behalf of mental health Representatives, Mexico issues are invaluable and reflect an

Appendix Contents

Addiction - Withdrawal Effects Create Havoc

Appendix C: Sample Acts of Violence Linked to 39 Psychiatic Drugs

References 53

Violent Killers: Drug Links

Suicide

Teen Killers & Violence

9 dead, 35 wounded Suicide

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his appendix includes details about studies A sample of studies and drug regulatory agency

suicide includes:

In December 1993, Steven Leith, a Chelsea, Michigan teacher, fatally shot a school

2017

superintendent and wounded two others, including a fellow teacher. He was taking British Medical Journal and Journal of

violent offence than other young persons.”

overall and SSRIs) prior to violent crime was “I was constantly agitated…My temper more common among those convicted than became shorter and anything could set me among those without convictions.” The off. My anger burned so intensely it was crimes did not involve manslaughter or scary. I had never experienced anything like it attempted manslaughter. The researchers either before going on Prozac or since I was concluded: “The results of this study add taken off of it. I had a headache all the time further evidence for exercising caution in the and was confused much of the time. use of antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, Something inside felt as if it wanted to crawl among children and youth, and to rely on out of me…After nearly two years of decline, I other treatment methods.” ° snapped and killed the Superintendent at a

verbally abusive and aggressive threats (all five participants were receiving

2016

paroxetine, the generic of Paxil), and

researchers reported: “Perpetrators of school shootings and similar events have often been The International Journal of Geriatric

more depressive symptoms.” Further, “More The researchers studied clinical trial reports intense psychotic symptoms and agitation for five antidepressants obtained from were associated with antipsychotic use; more European and UK drug regulators, and intense anxiety and agitation were associated summary trial reports for duloxetine with sedative-hypnotic use.” « (Cymbalta) and fluoxetine (Prozac) from their

SNRIs). The researchers said the use of these There was a doubling of the risk for both antidepressants are likely to yield significant aggressive behavior and suicidality for side effects, which include amongst others: children and adolescents. affective disorder (apathy, switching into hypomania or mania, paradoxical effects); Akathisia was found with use of suicidality and discontinuation (withdrawal) psychotropic drugs. This is an extreme syndromes. In fact, the researchers said some form of restlessness, which some patients antidepressant-related side effects “may describe as wanting to “jump out of their persist long after treatment skin” that may increase the risk of suicide discontinuation… . ” ¬ and violence.

October 2016: The Pharmaceutical Journal Tranquilizers (e.g., Xanax, Valium, reported that even healthy adults who are Klonopin) and sleeping aids (e.g., Ambien) taking certain antidepressants have a higher were used in many of the studies, which risk of suicidal thoughts and violent behavior, tend to obscure aggression and akathisia according to the results of a systematic events— meaning these conditions may review. “While it is now generally accepted be under-reported. that antidepressants increase the risk of suicide and violence in children and Patient narratives were available for adolescents (although many psychiatrists still

deny this), most people believe that these medications that relieve pain, manage drugs are not dangerous for adults. This is a epilepsy and control addictions, over a potentially lethal misconception,” warned the seven-year period. The findings showed that researchers, based at the Nordic Cochrane tranquilizers increased the risk of committing

pointed out the difficulty in obtaining full data

consideration, and validation in other settings.” š The individuals were more likely

2015

to be convicted of a homicide, assault,

with an increased risk of committing homicide. Researchers in Europe found that

2014

people who were on certain prescription drugs were at greatest risk of killing someone, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric

each person who committed homicide with 10 other people who had not committed Australian and New Zealand Journal of

subsequent aggressive behavior was found Medicare and Medicaid Services, August

treatment than those taking placebo. The

Drug Safety Research Unit in Southampton, England, study of paroxetine (Paxil) and European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology,

FPVD (French Pharmaco-Vigilance

about harming or killing yourself, or

planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; 2010 agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive Journal of the American Medical Association,

suicidal thoughts and behaviors—these Scientific American reported on another drugs are also administered to counter the

with patients receiving placebo (0.22 per

Health and Human Services and Centers for 100). œ–

PLoS One, December 1, 2010: Researchers took the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting

79 percent of all the violence cases, included

(Pristiq), venlafaxine (Effexor), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and fluoxetine Public Library of Science Medicine,

violence were commonly coded under the rubric of hostility. This coding term includes

2009

homicide, homicidal acts, and homicidal

concluded, “Patients and physicians should be aware that psychosis or mania arising

2005

during drug treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may The European Medicines Agency’s Committee represent adverse drug reactions.” The for Medicinal Products for Human Use

behavior and anger) were more frequently for worsening depression or the emergence observed in clinical trials among children and of suicidality. Further, “Anxiety, agitation, adolescents treated with antidepressants panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, compared to those treated with placebo. ™œ impulsivity, akathisia (severe restlessness), hypomania, and mania, have been reported

attempts in clinical trials with paroxetine

seven among the patients on paroxetine and

one among the patients on placebo.) ™¡ Pediatrics, September 2004: A study titled, “Aggression, Mania, and Hypomania Induction Associated with Atomoxetine”

2004

(Strattera), revealed that 33 percent of the Washington, DC, Drug Safety Research children and adolescents they studied that

suicidal/aggressive behaviors are reported in both adults and children, but more than

twice as often in children.” Among all ages, 2001 the six target drugs were suspected of

dangerous feelings of euphoria, grandiosity

or mania. ™§ Author Thomas Moore is a 2000 senior scientist at the Pennsylvania-based Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Occupational Therapy and Elderly Care,

them to commit extremely violent crimes.” “Abusers showed no guilt about their violent offenses (’When I stabbed him, it felt like putting a knife into butter’),” stated the report. “I didn’t feel any emotion when I stabbed him five times,” one teenager said. 

1996

Merck, the manufacturer of the antidepressant Remeron, reported that in their clinical studies, four percent of users experienced abnormal dreams and three percent reported abnormal thinking. Other nervous system effects that occurred frequently included apathy (blunting effect) and agitation. The results would have been worse except that 16 percent of those taking Remeron dropped out of the study because of adverse reactions. …

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arvard professor of psychiatry Dr. Joseph post-withdrawal symptoms “may last several H Glenmullen emphasizes that the months to years.” Reported post-withdrawal psychiatric symptoms of antidepressant symptoms included disturbed mood, withdrawal are not a return of the patient’s emotional lability, irritability, poor stress diagnosed mental condition. “Rather they are tolerance and impaired concentration. “ drug-induced withdrawal phenomena,” he warned. Jerrold Rosenbaum and Maurizio Fava, researchers at Massachusetts General Common effects of antidepressant withdrawal Hospital, found that among people getting off

include: antidepressants, anywhere from 20 to 80 percent (depending on the drug) suffered Eight symptoms that mimic “depression,” antidepressant withdrawal. Fava also

aggressiveness, worsening of mood, Four symptoms that look like “anxiety,” as dysphoria [feeling unhappy], crying spells well as irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, or mood lability [emotional instability], over self-harm and homicidal thoughts or urges; activity or hyperactivity, depersonalization, decreased concentration, slowed thinking, Manic-like reactions; auditory and visual confusion and memory/concentration hallucinations; nightmares; and difficulties.” ˜

More than 20 physical adverse effects. £ Public Library of Science Medicine, September, 2006: Professor Healy and A percent of people who quit psychotropic others reported that another mechanism that drugs abruptly may experience a “syndrome” of may link SSRI antidepressants to violence is withdrawal symptoms that extend long after the “the manic or psychotic states reported to be drugs leave their bodies. This change can induced by drug treatment. These reverse, but for a small proportion of people, it drug-induced states often resolve once the can take months or years to recover. Ž medication is removed. However, the full dimensions of treatment-induced psychotic Studies and reports supporting this include: or manic reactions have yet to be mapped; some may continue for a long period after Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Journal, treatment has stopped.” › [Emphasis added] September 2012. Researchers reported that

nausea, vomiting), 3. Flu-like symptoms (e.g. fatigue, lethargy, muscle pain, chills), 4. Sensory disturbances (e.g. tingling, electric shock sensations), and 5. Sleep disturbances (e.g. insomnia, vivid dreams.) 

Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, July 1, 1997: Professor John Zajecka, who was associated with Rush University Medical Center and others, reported that discontinuation [withdrawal] symptoms after treatment with Prozac can cause “aggressiveness and suicidal impulsivity.” ‹ The newer antidepressants were already showing discontinuation symptoms that included dizziness, light-headedness, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety/agitation, nausea, headache, and sensory disturbance that could last up to three weeks.

1996: The National Preferred Medicines Centre Inc. in New Zealand, issued a report on “acute drug withdrawal,” saying that withdrawal from psychoactive drugs can cause 1) rebound effects that exacerbate previous symptoms of a “disease,” and 2) new symptoms unrelated to the condition that had not been previously experienced by the patient. š

The Lancet, a British journal, July 1, 1995: Dr. Miki Bloch of the U.S. NIMH and colleagues published a report on patients who became suicidal or homicidal after stopping Paxil, including one man who experienced thoughts of harming his own children. Ÿ

Appendix C

Sample Acts of Violence Linked to Psychiatric Drugs

ne of the first cases that significantly found me yelling and screaming at people and Oraised the link between psychotropic waving my guns.” Wedderman has not taken drugs and violence was Joseph Wesbecker in trazodone since and he hasn't tried to kill

1989. He shot dead eight people and injured 12 himself, either. ° others before killing himself at his place of work

Wesbecker’s psychiatrist described him as exhibiting an “increased level of agitation and Following is a sample of publicized violent anger” and wrote: “Plan: Discontinue Prozac crimes where the perpetrators had taken which may be the cause.”  prescription mind-altering drugs or were potentially withdrawing from them at the time of

The case was tried and settled in 1994, and as the crime. part of the settlement a number of pharmaceutical company documents about

drug-induced activation were released into the Military

public domain. Subsequent legal cases have

Iraqi soldier, Munther Jasem Muhammed Former U.S. Army specialist Kyle Wesolowski Hassin in Fallujah, Iraq, when they fought over

met in a bar near the base. “I began to

guarding him. Lawrence was prescribed

He said the combination was nearly lethal. “At

antidepressant, Zoloft, which is not

violent” and was prescribed a cocktail of psychotropic drugs that included two

Community Examples of

powerful antipsychotics, Haldol and

Seroquel and the antidepressant Paxil. ‘– He Violence

was also mixing prescription drugs known to cause aggressive and psychotic behavior

2017

with alcohol and marijuana.

Oliver Funes Machado (18), Franklin

the scene saw the suspect leave the house

when he shot dead three colleagues and

machete-like hunting knife at the University

visit with him when Kelley was 21, he was

also been prescribed the drugs as far back as 2012. A 2013 court document revealed

2016

Paddock said he was prescribed diazepam

in his urine rather than his blood, that these

thoughts, rage, aggression, and irritability to name but a few. Ÿ– Rage, aggressiveness and

2015

irritability are among the possible side effects

of taking diazepam. Andreas Lubitz (27), Southern France, March 24, 2015: The Germanwings pilot

taking the prescription drugs for six months.

Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal

Street Journal reported that a police incident

prescription for the antianxiety drug hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax) was found in

2014

his apartment after the shooting. According

women, killing two of them. Driving again, he exchanged fire with sheriff deputies, hit a bicyclist, fired on other people in multiple

sertraline (Zoloft) and antianxiety drug clonazepam (Klonopin). In a recorded

the antidepressant was having on him.

Michael Hamilton (33), Jackson County,

2012

Michigan, September 8, 2012: He shot to

hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. He was listed as a co-author of a paper that

appeared in the Archives of General 2011 Psychiatry in June 2002. In the immediate

“resource” (police) officer. However the

midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises

salon where she worked, shot and killed her eight people and wounded three others and seven others and injured another. He during a shooting rampage at a Carthage was prescribed an antidepressant and a nursing home. He was under the influence of “mood stabilizer.” Side effects include the antidepressant Lexapro and the aggressiveness, irritability, mania and sedatives Ambien and Xanax. Tests on

doctor wasn’t there, but a nurse prescribed

been suspended from school earlier in the

prison after pleading guilty. …Œ Fred B. Davis (53), Granberry Crossing, Alabama, April 26, 2009: He threatened a

2010

neighbor with a gun before shooting and

have stopped taking the drug which would

Planoise, France (17), December 13, 2010: then make him prone to withdrawal effects. œ¡ The youth held 20 preschool children and

Bellar fatally shot himself. œ¤ Toxicology test results showed Bellar was on Tegretol, a

2009

drug prescribed for “bipolar disorder.” œ¥ Robert Kenneth Stewart (45), Carthage, North Carolina, March 29, 2009: He killed

recently been diagnosed as schizophrenic

himself. Saari was taking an SSRI antidepressant and alprazolam (Xanax). œ…

2008

Steven Kazmierczak (27), DeKalb, Illinois,

2007

February 14, 2008: Kazmierczak shot and

still had trace amount of Xanax in his

system. œ‰ Asa Coon (14), Cleveland, Ohio, October 10, 2007: Coon stormed through his school with

knocking the officer down, the officer shot

the coroner. œŒ Felicia McMillan (17), Texas, November 7,

2006 while taking these prescription drugs. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison. 

Jeff Weise (16), Red Lake, Minnesota, March

Hawkins’ landlord Debora Maruca Kovac

principal. He was taking Xanax at the time of

2006 the shooting. Just before the shooting, Bartley had also snorted a crushed Valium

Alvaro Rafael Castillo (19), Hillsborough, pill. š North Carolina, August 30, 2006: He shot

and killed his father, then drove to Orange 2004 High School where he opened fire. Two

education teacher Michael Bennett was hit in

Travis Roberson (16), North Vernon, the leg. Romano had been taking Xanax.  Indiana, December 4, 2006: Roberson

stabbed a Jennings County High School 2003 student in the neck, nearly severing an artery.

his soda with cyanide. He was being treated

five-year-old twin girls, Sam and Tess. Seven

antidepressants, Zoloft and Celexa. ‹

Mamoru Takuma (37), Ikeda, Japan, June 8, 2001: Wielding a six-inch knife, Takuma

William Michael Stankewicz (56), Red Lion,

2000

Pennsylvania, February 2, 2001: He

the killing spree, he had been under

students, wounding one. • Michael McDermott (42), Wakefield,

three people and proceeded to accounting,

increased. Baadsgaard said he had no memory of the incident. š

mother to death. Public reports said the boy was taking Prozac. In June 1998, Woodham

stimulant, Ritalin.
 In September 1999, the

teens aged 14 to 17 and wounding five other

wounded 26 others before killing themselves. Harris was on the antidepressant Luvox.

1995

Klebold’s medical records were sealed. Both

one. Toby killed himself moments later. His

convicted and sentenced to 40 years prison in 2000. He was released after serving 17

1993

years and two months.
Ž Stephen Leith (39), Chelsea, Michigan,

1998 December 16, 1993: The chemistry teacher Stephen Leith, facing a disciplinary matter at

others. He had been prescribed Prozac and Ritalin. He was sentenced to nearly 112 years

1992

in prison.
¦ Calvin Charles Bell (44), Houston, Texas, September 18, 1992: Bell was apparently

1997

distraught over his child’s second-grade

Elementary School, fired a shot, left the office, fired at a police officer who was at the school for a drug education program and wounded another officer before surrendering after police surrounded the building. Relatives told police that Bell was an unemployed Vietnam veteran and had been taking antidepressants.
——

1988-89

Laurie Wasserman Dann (31), Winnetka, Illinois, May 20, 1988: Dann had set fire to a house, tried to firebomb Ravinia School in Highland Park, delivered poisoned juice and snacks to several acquaintances and opened fire on children at Hubbard Woods School in Winnetka, killing 8-year-old Nick Corwin and injured five other children. She then entered a nearby house, took a family hostage and wounded a 20-year-old man before killing herself. She had been taking the antidepressant Anafranil and Lithium, long used to treat mania.
—

James Wilson (19), September 26, 1988, Greenwood, South Carolina: Wilson went on a shooting spree in an elementary schoolyard in Greenwood, killing two eight year olds, and wounding seven other children and two teachers. He had been taking Xanax and Valium and five other psychiatric drugs. He had been in and out of psychiatric centers starting at age 14. A judge sentenced Wilson to 175 years in prison and death.
—‚

Patrick Purdy (25), January 17, 1989, Stockton, California: Purdy went on a schoolyard shooting rampage which became the catalyst for the original legislative frenzy to ban “semiautomatic assault weapons” in California and the nation. Purdy murdered five children and wounded 30. He had been on amitriptyline, an antidepressant, as well as the antipsychotic, Thorazine.
—‰

References for Main Report

ect_says.html. 86 “FBI Releases 2016 Preliminary Statistics for Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty,” FBI National Press Office, 15 May 2017, https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases- 2016-preliminary-statistics-for-law-enforcement-officers-killed-in-the-lin e-of-duty. 87 Ann Blake Tracy, “Suicide & Death Can Lurk in Each SSRI Pill,” Rense.com, http://www.rense.com/general77/lurk.htm. 88 “Experts: 'Suicide by cop' cases are hard to prevent,” The San Diego Tribune, 8 May 2017, http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ news/public-safety/ sd-me-suicide-by-cop-20170508-story.html. 89 “Man seeking ‘suicide by cop’ found guilty of assault,” The Spokane-Review, 11 Feb. 2016, http://www.spokesman.com/stories/ 2016/feb/11/man-who- encouraged-spokane-police-to-shoot-him-fou/; Jeff Humphrey, “Army vet gets nine years for suicide by cop attempt,” KXLY News, 3 Mar. 2016, http://www.kxly.com/news/local-news/ spokane/army-vet-gets-nine-years-for-suicide-by-cop-attempt_2016112 1034442715/176407731. 90 “Spokane judge reluctantly sentences man to long prison term,” The Spokane-Review, 3 Mar. 2016, http://www.spokesman.com/stories/ 2016/mar/03/spokane-judge-reluctantly-sentences-man-to-long-pr/. 91 Op. cit., Jeff Humphrey. 92 Kelly Brogin, M.D. “What’s the Harm in Taking an Antidepressant?” http://kellybroganmd.com/whats-the-harm-in-taking-an-antidepressan t/. 93 Lori Fullbright, “Man Shot By Tulsa Police Reportedly Attempted 'Suicide By Cop,’” News On 6, 5 Nov. 2014, http://www.newson6.com/ story/27295470/man-shot-by-tulsa-police-reportedly-attempted-suicid e-by-cop. 94 “World needs ‘revolution’ in mental health care—UN rights expert,” Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?New sID=21689&LangID=E#sthash.MMIxDbIx.dpuf. 95 “From Privileges to Rights: People Labeled with Psychiatric Disabilities Speak for Themselves,” National Council on Disability, 20 Jan. 2000, https://ncd.gov/publications/2000/Jan202000. 96 Thomas Dorman, “Toxic Psychiatry,” Thomas Dorman’s website, 29 Jan. 2002, http://www.dormanpub.com. 97 Lorrin M. Koran, Medical Evaluation Field Manual, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University Medical Center, California, Prepared for the California Department of Mental Health, 1991, p. 4. 98 Mary Ann Block, No More ADHD, (Block System, Texas, 2001) pp.19-20. 99 Op. cit., “It’s the Drugs, Stupid! Prescription Psychotropic Drugs Cause Brain Injury.”

References for Appendix

Douglas Kennedy, Steve Harrigan, “Fox on the Record with Greta Van school.shooting.funeral/index.html; “School shooter Michael Carneal

Times, 29 Apr. 1999, http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/01/us/terror-littleton-investigation-little-was-done-complaints-littleton-file.html; Hon. William H. Erickson, Chairman, “The Report of Governor Bill Owens’” Columbine Review Commission, May 2001, http://www.state.co.us/ columbine/Columbine_20Report_ WEB.pdf; Sean Murphy, “Jury selection for Underwood taking longer than expected,” News OK, 22 Feb. 2008, http://newsok.com/jury-selection-for-underwood-taking-longer-than-expected/article/3207220; Kelly Patricia O’Meara, “Prescription Drugs May Trigger Killing,” Insight On The News, 2 Sept. 2002; “School Gunman Was Seeing a Psychiatrist,” MSNBC, 28 Apr. 1999. 127 John Cloud, “Just a Routine School Shooting,” TIME, 31 May 1999, http://europe.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/time/1999/05/24/school.shootin g.html; Lauren Foreman, “School shooter released from prison,” Atlantic Journal-Constitution, 26 Jul. 2016, http://www.ajc.com/news/crime-- law/school-shooter-released-from-prison/UtypevcvWwiUkhSRyzllPP/. 128 David Kupelian, “The giant, gaping hole in Sandy Hook reporting,” WND, 6 Jan. 2013, http://www.wnd.com/2013/01/the-giant-gaping-hole-in-sandy-hook- reporting/#Sx8Ax0KP67vs9sjM.99; Maxine Bernstein, “Oregon Court of Appeals affirms Kip Kinkel's nearly 112-year sentence,” The Oregonian, 10 Feb. 2016, http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/02/oregon_court_of_appeals_affirm.ht ml. 129 “Teen guilty in Mississippi school-shooting rampage,” CNN, 12 Jun. 1998, http://www.cnn.com/US/9806/12/school.shooting.verdict/; “Prescription antidepressant medications linked in most teen deaths and school shootings,” CNN iReport, 13 Jan. 2013, http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-909779. 130 Bob Unruh, “For Virginia Tech Rampage? Of School Shooting Sprees,” Whistleblower, Vol. 16, No. 7, Jul. 2007, pg. 5, http://www.wnd.com/2007/07/ 42434/; “Slain girls’ good-bye full of tears, faith,” CNN, 5 Dec. 1997, http://www.cnn.com/US/9712/05/

WARNING: No one should stop taking any psychiatric drug without the advice and assistance of a competent, non-psychiatric, medical doctor.

Photo Credits:

Mstyslav Chernov (inside cover); Ari Armstrong (page 7 left); History of Biomedicine Research Group (page 7 right); S. Dizayee/VOA Turkish Service (page 9); Associated Press/ RJ Sangosti (page 10); Columbine High School Yearbook (page 14 top; Appendix page 29 photo 7); Denver Public Library, Rocky Mtn. News Photo Archives /Pulitzer Prize Photo by George Kochaniec, Jr. (page 14 bottom); Associated Press (page 28: photo 1, 7, 8; page 29: photo 2, 3, 5, 9); Federal Bureau of Investigation (page 28: photo 2); Texas Department of Public Safety (page 28: photo 3); Polk County Sheriff’s Office (page 28: photo 4); Getty Images North America (page 28: photo 5); Getty Images/Stringer (page 28: photo 6); HO/AFP/Getty Images (page 28: photo 10); Arapahoe County Detention Center (page 28: photo 11); Orange County Sheriff’s Department (page 28: photo 12); Papillion - La Vista High School yearbook (page 29: photo 4); Fox News (page 29: photo 6, 10); Heritage High School Yearbook (page 29: photo 11).

© 2018 CCHR. All Rights Reserved. Citizens Commission on Human Rights and the CCHR Logo are trademarks and service marks owned by Citizens Commission on Human Rights. Printed in the U.S.A.

The goal of this report is to help law enforcement and policy makers discover and identify a hidden link to the prevalence of violence and suicide in the community: psychotropic drugs. Facts, statistics, studies and expert opinion show the medical concerns about the rise of senseless acts of violence coincident with the increase in psychotropic drug prescriptions and usage. Psychiatric drugs create dependence, suicide and violence in a percent of individuals taking them. That is a documented fact. The disastrous consequences are felt by all. As so many lives are at stake, it is vital that each person who is in a position to take action avail themselves of this information to help protect our communities.

Jan Eastgate President Citizens Commission on Human Rights International

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(323) 467-4242 humanrights@cchr.org www.cchrint.org