The country was hell for six years where mangled bodies strewn on the ground were an ordinary sight. Soldiers are people, too, though they are ordered to kill. Now, Iraqi soldiers have not been able to handle the stress and have resorted to sedating themselves with prescription drugs. Terror has an unimaginable price. Even Iraqi police have joined the drugged bandwagon. Artane, a medicine for Parkinson’s disease, is the top drug of choice. The euphoria it brings eclipses the stress. The drug also makes them brave to break down doors and get into homes. Practically one out of three soldiers abuse Artane while on duty, making them immune to torturously long duties, scenes of suicide bombings, and killings by the number.

These prescription drugs may be had without prescription on the thriving Iraqi black market, and through private drugstores. Tranquilizers, painkillers, and other drugs have been doing very good business. And in the military, drug abuse is an open secret among soldiers. Drug use goes by the codenames of “appetizers” or “takeout.” “The capsule,” “the eyebrow,” and “the cross” are the street names of Artane, Valium, and some drugs.

Other drugs that have been abused are Valium, Ativan, Mogadon, Somadril, and codeine cough syrup. However, Artane tops the list because it does not result in physical addiction. But the drug causes psychological dependence. The memories of explosions, corpses, and terrifyingly dim streets can drive most to suicide if it were not for the euphoric effect of Artane. Anything, to escape the bitter reality. The more tragic result is that addiction has not been cured because the soldiers do not seek treatment.

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Via International Herald Tribune