| Copyright 2007 Colorado Veterans Alliance |
EPIDEMIC OF VETERAN SUICIDES
There have been many stories about the vast majority of Americans
being insulated from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that only
a small percentage of Americans-the families of those fighting
overseas-are shouldering the brunt of these wars. We predict that In
the next couple of years this will all change as the war comes marching
into US communities from coast to coast. How? If history is indeed the
great predictor, then we will soon find that the nightmare of war will
show up at our doorsteps, not in the form of Al Queda, but in us
dealing with the demons of our sons and daughters, brothers and
sisters who have spent multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
CBS News dropped a bombshell when they reported on a 5 month
investigation that found more veterans have killed themselves in one
year than have been killed in battle in Iraq. 100 returning soldiers a
week, 5,000 a year are committing suicide, that is more soldiers that
have died in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
As a direct result of this CBS News story, the VA established the first
nationwide Veterans suicide hotline.
Let that sink in.
All the car bombings, shootings and violence in Iraq and Afghanistan
added up, have killed fewer Americans than have veterans that have
killed themselves.
Suicide is the most extreme form of collateral consequences from our
war in Iraq, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. What is it like to be shot
at during war and know that any day may be your last? How do you
deal with the pain of having friends killed in your arms? What does
killing other human beings do to your emotional stability? It's not hard
to imagine how such experiences could lead to post-traumatic stress
syndrome, which in turn often leads to self-medication, drug addiction,
homelessness and even suicide.
Consider how many of us, the weight of our lives upon us, turn to and
become dependant on cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol. Millions of
Americans struggle with dependency on prescription drugs alone! And
many of our issues may be pretty marginal when compared with those
of people coming back after 15 months away from their families -
people who have experienced the horrors and uncertainties of war and
who may be emotionally or physically impaired.
The New York Times ran a story headlined "Surge Seen in Number of
Homeless Veterans." The same day, a new report by the Alliance to End
Homelessness was released that says one of four homeless are
veterans. And these aren't the only pieces of troubling news items
we're hearing.
The stories of substance abuse are also coming in. The military
publication "Stars and Stripes" has reported that alcohol and other
drug-use problems are common throughout the forces in Iraq. "Some
of the young soldiers just can't handle the stress and turn to alcohol or
drugs to self-medicate," said military defense lawyer Capt. Chris
Krafchek. The Army's surgeon general was quoted in an Associated
Press story that a survey of troops returning from Iraq found that 30
percent had developed mental health problems three to four months
after coming home.
What's going to happen to all of these people who are suffering from
depression and suicidal thoughts? Many will end up using drugs, just as
many civilians do. So on top of all their other problems, many of the
vets will have to worry about getting caught with drugs, being arrested
or ending up homeless. U.S. prisons are already filled with nonviolent
drug offenders, many serving mandatory sentences of 15 years to life
for the possession of small amounts of drugs. Service members
incarcerated and separated from their families because of drug
addictions resulting from their service in Iraq or Afghanistan will be
tragic. Veterans ending up homeless is shameful. And suicides the most
extreme collateral damage of these wars.
For more information on CVA's policy research, please contact us.
There have been many stories about the vast majority of Americans
being insulated from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that only
a small percentage of Americans-the families of those fighting
overseas-are shouldering the brunt of these wars. We predict that In
the next couple of years this will all change as the war comes marching
into US communities from coast to coast. How? If history is indeed the
great predictor, then we will soon find that the nightmare of war will
show up at our doorsteps, not in the form of Al Queda, but in us
dealing with the demons of our sons and daughters, brothers and
sisters who have spent multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
CBS News dropped a bombshell when they reported on a 5 month
investigation that found more veterans have killed themselves in one
year than have been killed in battle in Iraq. 100 returning soldiers a
week, 5,000 a year are committing suicide, that is more soldiers that
have died in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
As a direct result of this CBS News story, the VA established the first
nationwide Veterans suicide hotline.
Let that sink in.
All the car bombings, shootings and violence in Iraq and Afghanistan
added up, have killed fewer Americans than have veterans that have
killed themselves.
Suicide is the most extreme form of collateral consequences from our
war in Iraq, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. What is it like to be shot
at during war and know that any day may be your last? How do you
deal with the pain of having friends killed in your arms? What does
killing other human beings do to your emotional stability? It's not hard
to imagine how such experiences could lead to post-traumatic stress
syndrome, which in turn often leads to self-medication, drug addiction,
homelessness and even suicide.
Consider how many of us, the weight of our lives upon us, turn to and
become dependant on cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol. Millions of
Americans struggle with dependency on prescription drugs alone! And
many of our issues may be pretty marginal when compared with those
of people coming back after 15 months away from their families -
people who have experienced the horrors and uncertainties of war and
who may be emotionally or physically impaired.
The New York Times ran a story headlined "Surge Seen in Number of
Homeless Veterans." The same day, a new report by the Alliance to End
Homelessness was released that says one of four homeless are
veterans. And these aren't the only pieces of troubling news items
we're hearing.
The stories of substance abuse are also coming in. The military
publication "Stars and Stripes" has reported that alcohol and other
drug-use problems are common throughout the forces in Iraq. "Some
of the young soldiers just can't handle the stress and turn to alcohol or
drugs to self-medicate," said military defense lawyer Capt. Chris
Krafchek. The Army's surgeon general was quoted in an Associated
Press story that a survey of troops returning from Iraq found that 30
percent had developed mental health problems three to four months
after coming home.
What's going to happen to all of these people who are suffering from
depression and suicidal thoughts? Many will end up using drugs, just as
many civilians do. So on top of all their other problems, many of the
vets will have to worry about getting caught with drugs, being arrested
or ending up homeless. U.S. prisons are already filled with nonviolent
drug offenders, many serving mandatory sentences of 15 years to life
for the possession of small amounts of drugs. Service members
incarcerated and separated from their families because of drug
addictions resulting from their service in Iraq or Afghanistan will be
tragic. Veterans ending up homeless is shameful. And suicides the most
extreme collateral damage of these wars.
For more information on CVA's policy research, please contact us.
| Our Mission: To ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops and Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. CVA uniquely empowers Veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues. |
| COLORADO VETERANS ALLIANCE |
| "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." - George Washington |
