Drugs Cloud US Troops Judgment

Experts believe the growing variety of antipsychotic drugs prescribed for the US combat forces impair the troops' ability to make correct judgments.

The United States Central Command allows troops struggling with sleep deprivation to receive a 6-month supply of Seroquel -- a drug first developed to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, mania and depression, according to a report published by AllGov on Sunday.

At least two US troops have died while asleep after having taken large amounts of the medication.

A June 2010 report released by the Defense Department's Pharmacoeconomic Center at Fort Sam Houston revealed that some 20% of the troops on active-duty are taking psychotropic drugs, ranging from antidepressants to antipsychotics to sedative hypnotics.'

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