PTSD: The Other Ultimate Sacrifices And Marijuana

Is there any limit to what Veterans must endure? Where is the "support for troops" now?

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - I have nothing but honor and utmost respect for the 300,000 of my fellow dogfaces in WWII who died so that I could write these stories honoring them.

I was committed to combat late in WWII, but many in my company and my battalion whom I knew well were killed, many just in front of me. It is an eerie feeling just to remember “there but by the grace of God, go I”. This happened too often when I was in a combat zone but for only about three months. I even get those feelings today, 68 years later. This is PTSD.

My title may be strange to some people, but there are things worse than death which my fellow Combat Infantrymen are suffering today.

The VA treatment of injured veterans, especially those who have PTSD, makes me wonder if the V-A stands for Veterans-Assassination, or Veterans-Abomination; both of which seem applicable at the present time.

The VA is killing more veterans than died in combat, by bad drug treatment, or no treatment at all.

The Army Infantry and the Marines brainwash their men to be psychopathic killers, then order them to “go kill your enemies”. This was a severe shock to most of the men but the concept was regularly beat into their heads. If we didn’t do as we were ordered, we might be sent to be a point man, leading an attack, a Scout going out to seek trouble or a Forward Observer, like a goat in a tiger trap. All these three were frequently suicide missions.

What I’m really getting to is/are the deplorable medical services mostly denied to Veterans/PTSD victims who usually are subjected to the deny-deny-deny till the veterans do die.

Right now, there are at least 1 million PTSD Veterans in this category who have really been thrown into the ash can with no medical support whatsoever.

In addition to this mistreatment, or part of the group (million veterans) are at least 200,000 maybe more who are homeless, or living under bridges, or sleeping on the sidewalk someplace in ragged clothes.

As a result of this denial of medical care, we have the Veteran PTSD victims turning to alcohol which they were taught to do in basic training. And tobacco addiction, which they learned at the same time, or illegal drugs like cocaine or meth, which allows them to escape their miserable existence for even a few hours.

Another part of the ultimate sacrifices is being in jail or prison, usually for the use of illegal or lethal drugs mentioned above.

Many veterans die from taking the medications given them by the VA, prescription drugs kill about 106,000 patients per year, many are PTSD Veteran victims.

Along with this are about 80,000 deaths by alcohol. Most are veterans.
Tobacco kills about 435,000 a year. Most of these also are Veterans.

There are other ramifications about PTSD. Statistics indicate that PTSD causes an increase in divorce. But also, that divorce cause PTSD. This ends up with shattered families so that Veterans PTSD affects families and children.

The overall adverse effect of PTSD goes far beyond the combat soldiers or Marines who are the most effected by PTSD and its sequels.

Others also get PTSD, and I am not diminishing that fact. I am only writing about what I know best.

Psychotherapy by whoever has been a very expensive bust. But I will admit that it possibly works for the lower grades of PTSD. For the more extreme cases, pharmacotherapy especially with Cannabis/Marijuana type drugs has been found to be the best and many PTSD Veterans have discovered this.

Cannabis is a complete substitute for the body’s own endocannabinoid anandamide which is secreted by the body in stressful situations.

It is always there in small amounts. When the body is over-stressed with PTSD, the body cannot overcome this stress by itself.

In the Israeli and Canadian Armies, Cannabis is freely given to soldiers who have suffered combat terrors which is the essence of battle, is also used freely for the sequels of battle --- PTSD.

Despite many publications supporting the concept of Cannabis/Marijuana as the best medicine to treat combat terrors and PTSD, the US Government and the VA assassination teams still refuse to allow combat veterans to use this medicine.

Salem-News.com Marijuana Coverage

Where and How to Smoke Legal Marijuana without Fear of Arrest in the U.S.

Eulogy of a Great Warrior: Hoss Plourde

The Ripple Effect How Marijuana Laws Are Impacting Society

Audit the Audit

Welcome Home, Tom

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Chronic Chrisso February 5, 2014 6:08 pm (Pacific time)

I got my first permit from Dr Phil- 1069 or some such. Rippers knifed me in the heart, though, in 07. Because we don't have a professional system to get weed. Ha I'm one of those "psychopathic killers", alright- Army Infantry, Disabled Vet from OCS 91, et al, Sir. But I got in deeper doo doo on the street than I ever did in 8 years in the Army. Or while I was arc welding in my garage in broad daylight, rather than the street. I've been a chronic pain patient since Desert Storm too, and I just quit using ANY kind of pills. Hey- Why does a Disabled Vet who will match a Vet's disability rating up to 50% have to pay the same for a dispensary permit as everybody else? Sir. So, as usual- Outstanding work, Dr Phil, Sir. If they'd lemme send pix I'd send you a pic of me holding "Dogface Soldier".

Greg Dowling January 25, 2014 2:17 am (Pacific time)

I have suffered from PTSD for the past 15yrs and only late last year I was actually diagnosed. I live everyday yerning for the peaceful place I found when I was suffering the effects of a very near death experience, Pot and Salvia are the only natural plants I have found that eleviates my sometimes deliberating symptoms, without side effects. I fear having to give up pot, for it stops memories and nightmare instantly and without the effects that the antidepressants bring with them. I'm in Australia keep up the good work. ptsd & survivors guilt Sufferer

David Dike January 1, 2014 1:03 pm (Pacific time)

Salem-news is only one news entity that thinks the world of Dr. Leveque. Each year for a long time, he has given talks all over Oregon about his experiences in WWII and as the first western medical professor to train doctors in Uganda and Tanzania. This man's legacy is amazing and he is as strong as ever.

Anonymous December 31, 2013 2:24 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you for your service to this country and to mankind in general Dr. Leveque.

Anonymous December 30, 2013 1:34 pm (Pacific time)

This writer is one of the top sources in this nation for PTSD, I have been following Salem-News.com's coverage of this high impact subject and applaud the continuing efforts of this brave reporting agency, bravo!

[Return to Top]

PTSD: The Other Ultimate Sacrifices And Marijuana

LEGALIZED CANNABIS/MARIJUANA IS COMING. WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG?

Quick Links

DINING

MUST SEE SALEM

AUCTIONS - APPRAISALS

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

ONLINE SHOPPING

Advertise with Salem-News