18 Jun 2008

"Disposable Heroes": Suicide-Linked Drugs Tested on Veterans

An ABC News and Washington Times investigation reveals vets are being recruited for government tests on drugs with violent side effects.

Mentally distressed veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are being recruited for government tests on pharmaceutical drugs linked to suicide and other violent side effects, an investigation by ABC News and The Washington Times has found.

The report will air on Good Morning America and will also appear in The Washington Times on Tuesday. (Click here to read "The Washington Times" coverage of "Disposable Heroes.")

In one of the human experiments, involving the anti-smoking drug Chantix, Veterans Administration doctors waited more than three months before warning veterans about the possible serious side effects, including suicide and neuropsychiatric behavior.

"Lab rat, guinea pig, disposable hero," said former US Army sniper James Elliott in describing how he felt he was betrayed by the Veterans Administration.

More on t r u t h o u t