Drugging America's Veterans: Why are America's war veterans being fed so many drugs? The Journeyman Weekly: 5 stories every Monday showcasing the best investigative reports from around the world. For downloads and more information visit: http://www.journeyman.tv/?lid=66148&bid;=2 The US consumes 80% of the world's painkillers and more die from them than heroin and cocaine combined. Fatal overdoses among war veterans are twice the national average: so why are they being fed so many drugs? "I couldn't believe the amount of medication being prescribed to him", says Jeff Waggoner's father sadly. After being evacuated out of Afghanistan with a serious groin injury, Jeff became addicted to painkillers in an army hospital in Oregan. The army discharged him with a massive cocktail of narcotics in his pocket. That night Jeff died in a motel corridor from an overdose of oxycodone, tranquilisers and muscle relaxants. Analysis of 12 years of prescription data from the US Veteran's Association shows that prescriptions for 4 highly addictive painkillers have surged by 270% since the war in Afghanistan began, far outstripping the increase in patients. Retired brigadier and psychiatrist Dr Xenakis explains, "in these clinics they're very busy, they've got pressures. Giving a prescription is almost default". For him it's clear that opiates harm rather than heal veterans. Dr Robert Petzel, the VA's undersecretary for health, insists opiates are only a last resort and "there are very careful protocols". But this report found veterans across the country locked in a life and death struggle with their painkiller addiction. For Fallujah veteran Tim Fazio it's simple: "if doctor's give it to me, I'm gonna take it". CIR - ref: 5973 Journeyman is your source for the most powerful films exploring the world's most burning issues of today. We represent stories from the world's top producers and broadcasters with brand new content coming in all the time. On our channel you'll find outstanding controversial journalism exploring any issue you can imagine wanting to know about.

• published: 25 Nov 2013
• views: 2378