Documentary on SBS: Need for Speed. Military usage

pellaeons_scion · Post by **pellaeons_scion** » 2003-08-12 11:35pm

Not sure if this the right forum but...

There was a documentary on SBS last night called Need for Speed. The upshot of this documentary were the claims that US servicemen such as pilots and Spec Forces ( and others) were given dexadrine to aid in keeping alert in combat situations. They also described that the death of some of the Canadian forces and English ground troops was due to US pilots, who were at the time under the influence of Amphetamines.

The more frightening part of this, was they were showing snippets of AFTV, where two USAF officers were explaining that this drug was safe, and needed for "Increased Vigilance' (verging on the paranoid). The claimed it wasnt forced on the soldiers, that they had to sign a waver, but that it was harmless, and even a benefit to those soldiers.

Now, Im no real expert on drugs, but the next bit was even more concerning. After the pilots were jacked up on speed, once they got to base they had to take "no-go" pills. Uppers, then Downers. This to me is a combination that has dire consequences. One serviceman described how his being on the drugs made him ruthless, and capable of terrible things that he could never have done otherwise (killing women and children etc). Another pilot described how he was "dancing in the cockpit, singing and waving his hands around in euphoria" During a mid-air refueling!!

On the death of those servicemen. Yes friendly fire accidents happen. But how safe would you feel knowing that up in the sky, carrying enough firepower to decimate a regiment, is someone who's senses are impaired, and suffering from almost paranoia. Ask the british who were taking a rest in their vehicles after a live fire excercise when an a10 crewed by one of these pilots decided that the stationary column, with no AAA fire comng from it was a valid target.

Im no soldier, or pilot. But dont they have IFF? or visual target recognition training? IF the column had accidently fired on the plane fair enough. But, an escorting brit tornado warned the A10 pilot that friendly units were in the area and to hold off...to which was ignored.

Im probably going to be blasted for all of this. Its not about hypocracy. Its not about pointing a finger at the fact that the US wages its war on drugs, yet jacks its soldiers up. Its about common sense. COmmerical pilots who fly longer hours than combat pilots ar forbidden to use amphetamines, so are bus drivers, truck drivers etc. Yet the military says "nup, harmless. Oh, and its administered by a USAF doctor under specific guidelines" the guidelines being "If your tired, take one of these" and then given a bag of upto 20 tablets.

As a citizen of a US ally, these things make me concerned for any actions we help the US with. I have no problem with us serving alongside your forces, and contributing to the various conflicts. What I am worried about is that those self same allies may not be operating with all their mental faculties intact.

pellaeons_scion · Post by **pellaeons_scion** » 2003-08-12 11:40pm

a small link to some info, ill try an find more

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/Dai ... 21220.html

Post by **weemadando** » 2003-08-13 05:49am

I watched that one too, pretty damn fucked up. But we've been doing similar things with our SAS for years apparently, running them on performance enhancing drugs and other shit.

pellaeons_scion · Post by **pellaeons_scion** » 2003-08-14 02:56am

*listens to the sound of crickets*

Hmm, no comments?

Warspite · Post by **Warspite** » 2003-08-14 07:02am

*flames crickets*

Anyway, I've been hearing these stories for years, and I wouldn't be surprised if this has been happening since (at least) the 50's, of not earlier, after all, these experiments may have started during WWII to increase performance in soldiers during their training, in order to get as many GI's as possible fit for combat in the shortest amount of time.

I think it is irresponsible for a military service to administer drugs to its soldiers, errors and misuse can very easily happen.
If the same results can be achieved with better training, medical monitoring and more men, there wouldn't be need for these drugs.

Besides, what is the difference between legal administered drugs and illegal administered ones? (ooops, just answered my own question...)