Posted on Jun 25, 2015
Marine’s overdose death sparking VA opiate debate. Is it Dose vs Treat?
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Simcakoski died at Tomah in August after a toxic reaction to more than 12 medications including opiates. He has become the face of what veteran groups and other advocates say is an epidemic of dangerous opioid prescriptions to VA patients.
“I just saw too much medication. My son had an addiction with pain meds and yet they put my son back on pain meds,” said Marv Simcakoski, his father. “They sent him home with 50 some [pills] and told him to take them regularly.”
Simcakoski served in the Marines from 1998-2002 and suffered a head injury. Anxiety attacks led him to seek care at the Tomah VA, where his family said he struggled for over four years with no improvement despite a long list of medications. An autopsy found the mix of drugs in system resulted in his death while an in-patient at the facility.
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/marine-s-overdose-death-sparking-va-opiate-debate-1.354419
“I just saw too much medication. My son had an addiction with pain meds and yet they put my son back on pain meds,” said Marv Simcakoski, his father. “They sent him home with 50 some [pills] and told him to take them regularly.”
Simcakoski served in the Marines from 1998-2002 and suffered a head injury. Anxiety attacks led him to seek care at the Tomah VA, where his family said he struggled for over four years with no improvement despite a long list of medications. An autopsy found the mix of drugs in system resulted in his death while an in-patient at the facility.
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/marine-s-overdose-death-sparking-va-opiate-debate-1.354419
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Tomah
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Tomah
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 4
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If anyone is looking for a basic overview of opioids, please take a look at this article that we put out--it also has a solid list of resources at the end as well. http://prismhealthadvocates.com/opioid-epidemic-creation-addiction-treatment-rehabilitation/
The Opioid Epidemic: A Look at Opioid Creation, Addiction, Treatment and Rehabilitation - Prism
Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. Synthetic opioids such as Heroine play a major factor in these cases.
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What worries me the most is that he was in-patient. Why were they not giving him his dosing? Or was he in a DOM? This is so sad. RIP
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This is something that Docs in general need to look at. This happens more often then we want to believe. Such a tragic loss for this Marine!
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