Bayh Challenges Overdose Comment by Army General

Bayh Challenges Comment by Army General
By KIMBERLY HEFLING – 15 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee said Friday it was inappropriate for the Army's surgeon general to compare the overdose deaths of injured soldiers in the military's care to that of actor Heath Ledger.

Earlier this month, Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker made reference to the 28-year-old "Brokeback Mountain" star's death as he discussed the overdose deaths of some troops in the Army's "warrior transition units." The units give wounded troops coordinated medical care, financial advice, legal help and other services as they make the adjustments necessary either to return to active duty or re-enter civilian life.

"This isn't restricted to the military, alone, as we all saw the unfortunate death of one of our leading actors recently," Schoomaker told Pentagon reporters. His comments came a day after it was announced that Ledger had died Jan. 22 from an accidental overdose — the effect of taking several types of painkillers and sedatives.

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., told reporters during a conference call Friday that likening Ledger's death to the deaths by overdose of wounded soldiers was not appropriate because Ledger was not injured in combat.

"He didn't have a traumatic brain injury," Bayh said. "He wasn't, as far as I know, under a physician's care or residing in a unit designed to protect him and treat him or given by his own caregivers potentially lethal doses of medication and left to self medicate himself when he had a traumatic brain injury."

Said Bayh, "I just think that analogy is inappropriate and I hope it will stop."
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Death of William C. Tuck ruled accidental overdose

Death of Iraq vet ruled accidental overdose
The Associated PressPosted : Saturday Feb 2, 2008 14:18:30 EST

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office says a 22-year-old Iraq war veteran found dead last month died of an accidental overdose.

William C. Tuck was a solder from 2002 through December and served three tours in Iraq as an Army Ranger. His mother found him dead at the family’s Flagstaff home on Jan. 1.

An autopsy showed he died from an overdose of methadone, a narcotic painkiller often used to wean heroin addicts off the drug.

Tuck’s mother Lea said Friday that she was extremely proud of his service to his country.

His company commander left a condolence note calling him “one of the best Rangers we had in the company.”

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_iraqvetoverdose_080202/