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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Army Introduces New Measures to Stem Suicides

Officials to hire more therapists, boost drug and health screening

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(Newser) – The army has begun a new effort to stem the rising toll of soldier suicides, hiring more mental health workers and instituting new rules for drug testing and health screening, reports AP. The number of suicides in the first three months of 2009 reached 56—after a record 140 last year. The armed forces have partly blamed the rising number of suicides on strains from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

A soldier squeezes through a metal door with the help of a comrade and an Iraqi policeman during a joint search operation in Mosul, Iraq.
A soldier squeezes through a metal door with the help of a comrade and an Iraqi policeman during a joint search operation in Mosul, Iraq.   (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)
A team at Dover Air Force Base, Del., carries the transfer case containing the remains of Army Private Second Class Bryce E. Gautier, of Cypress, Calif., earlier this month.
A team at Dover Air Force Base, Del., carries the transfer case containing the remains of Army Private Second Class Bryce E. Gautier, of Cypress, Calif., earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A soldier, member of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, takes samples from the ground at the site of a bomb explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday.
A soldier, member of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, takes samples from the ground at the site of a bomb explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 25, 09 12:35 AM CDT
The drug testing was delayed until unemployment caused a surge in new applicants... the replacement and discharge of alleged problem individuals will slowly take place over the next year. There will be an attempt to withhold various veteran benefits to those now found to be substance abusers, or who have a previous history of simple depression or other mental health issues. Reply
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