Military can’t keep tabs on pill-popping troops, Senate Says

Font Size:

For years, Pentagon-backed studies have cautioned that more and more troops are self-medicating with antidepressants, sleeping pills and psychotropic medications. But despite the warnings, it turns out that the data needed to reach any solid conclusions isn’t available. The military doesn’t actually keep tabs on the drugs its troops take.

In a report accompanying the 2011 Defense Department authorization bill, the Senate Armed Services Committee noted that the military “has no visibility of pharmacy data for prescriptions dispensed in forward operating areas,” NextGov is reporting.

The revelation comes mere months after widespread debate over just how many active duty troops are actually using drugs.

Full story: Military Can’t Keep Tabs on Pill-Popping Troops, Senate Says | Danger Room | Wired.com