Tuesday, October 9, 2012

More Suicides From Pharmaceutical Drugs Than Car Crashes

New Research from the American Journal of Public Health indicates that suicides now surpass car crashes as the leading cause of deaths from injuries. Children and teens commit suicide more and more often and pharmaceutical drugs are commonly found in their system. The suicide rate increased 15% from 2000 to 2009, according to the report, while car crashes have dropped 25% over the same time period. More interest has been paid to vehicle safety, while little to no interest has been paid to the harm pharmaceutical drugs effects on developing children. According to the report poisonings are the third leading cause of injury related deaths. They have increased by 128% over the 10 year period. This is primarily because of prescription drug overdoses.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Psychiatrist accused of Faking Dementia Denied Bail

A San Francisco Bay Area psychiatrist bail was renounced. Prosecutors say he faked dementia in order to avoid retrial on charges he molested five young male patients The San Mateo County Superior Court will not make a final ruling for William Ayres, 80, of San Mateo until the issue of the fallen psychiatrist's mental competency for trial has been resolved. Though state psychiatrists have said Ayres is mentally well enough for retrial on nine counts of child molestation, Ayres defense attorney Jonathan McDougall has challenged that finding. The accused Psychiatrist has been in San Mateo County jail since August 1st. He was in a Napa Hospital until late July when Hospital employees indicated his dementia is exaggerated or fake. William Ayres has said in his defense on the molestation charges that he was performing physical exams on the five young males who testified against him. The jury was hung on the verdict, but prosecutors are attempting a second trial. The next hearing is scheduled for later this month.