2008 Woodie Awards
Are drug companies at fault in Marin case?
Point-Counterpoint
Natalie Niemeyer
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Medications aren't the problem in the Marin case.
The Kyle Marin trial recently wrapped up in Cedar Rapids. Because Marin confessed to the murders, the big debate was if he wanted to murder or if the medications he was on at the time caused him to murder. So the question is: Are people on prescription drugs responsible for their own actions?
When people start taking medications that have side effects they are told what to do and what not to do when under the medications influence. They know if they are taking something that is not supposed to be mixed with alcohol. They know if they shouldn't drive.
Pharmaceutical companies produce these medications to help people. Some people couldn't go through a day without some sort of medication. Once the medicine is in the hands of the consumer, it's their responsibility.
If a person is on a medication that makes them drowsy and they drive, despite warnings from their pharmacist and doctors, that person is responsible for any harm they cause while under the influence of the medication.
In Marin's case, he was on the prescription antidepressant Zoloft. The drug has been known to make young adults who use it aggressive and violent and can cause users to have increased suicidal thoughts. Even though Marin was on the medication, he is still responsible for what he did.
The Pfizer Web site reports that those who are taking the drug should be closely monitored. According to Pfizer, people should not consume alcohol while taking Zoloft. Marin made the choice to be in a social situation and to drink throughout the night, knowing that it could have an effect on him.
It seems to me that it would take a while to stab someone over 120 times. If you did not have the mind set to kill, you would come to your senses while you were doing something so out of character.
Instead of trying to pin the blame on drug companies who try to help people, blame the people who do horrible things and try to pass it off on drug companies.
The Kyle Marin trial recently wrapped up in Cedar Rapids. Because Marin confessed to the murders, the big debate was if he wanted to murder or if the medications he was on at the time caused him to murder. So the question is: Are people on prescription drugs responsible for their own actions?
When people start taking medications that have side effects they are told what to do and what not to do when under the medications influence. They know if they are taking something that is not supposed to be mixed with alcohol. They know if they shouldn't drive.
Pharmaceutical companies produce these medications to help people. Some people couldn't go through a day without some sort of medication. Once the medicine is in the hands of the consumer, it's their responsibility.
If a person is on a medication that makes them drowsy and they drive, despite warnings from their pharmacist and doctors, that person is responsible for any harm they cause while under the influence of the medication.
In Marin's case, he was on the prescription antidepressant Zoloft. The drug has been known to make young adults who use it aggressive and violent and can cause users to have increased suicidal thoughts. Even though Marin was on the medication, he is still responsible for what he did.
The Pfizer Web site reports that those who are taking the drug should be closely monitored. According to Pfizer, people should not consume alcohol while taking Zoloft. Marin made the choice to be in a social situation and to drink throughout the night, knowing that it could have an effect on him.
It seems to me that it would take a while to stab someone over 120 times. If you did not have the mind set to kill, you would come to your senses while you were doing something so out of character.
Instead of trying to pin the blame on drug companies who try to help people, blame the people who do horrible things and try to pass it off on drug companies.
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