RE: My letter in response to the article: Depressed Over Prozac

August 24, 2004

FYI:

From: " Cassandra Casey " <israelswarrior@...>

jarvik@...

CC: letters@...

Subject: Depressed Over Prozac

Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 03:15:45 -0600

Dear Elaine,

I want to commend you for your fine work on your article in Sunday's paper,

" Depressed Over Prozac " :

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595085602,00.html

I believe you have paved a way for us to look at this situation for what it

is – a reminder that we must educate ourselves, and be ever vigilant as we

make decisions for ourselves and our families.

I appreciate your effort to create a balanced report, though I wonder if

your subtitle, “Deconstructing ” wasn’t a bit overboard - perhaps

leading others who have already formed their own bias, to disregard ’s

work simply because she doesn’t hold a degree from Harvard. That would

truly be a shame… Less we forget, there have been many great women and men

who have left their mark on this world who never completed one course in

higher education. Maybe Dr is of the same mind as Mark Twain

(1835-1910) who said, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my

education”. A degree never willed anyone to do good, nor does the lack of

a degree prevent one from doing honorable work.

Furthermore, it is regrettable that Vickie Cottrell, president of Utah NAMI,

would suggest that Ann Blake is funded by Scientologists. You would

think that someone who heads an influential organization and represents the

interests of thousands would be more careful to have her facts clear.

Saying that Ann has the " same philosophy as Scientology " because she is

opposed to the mass drugging of our society – is akin to suggesting that

everyone who frowns on smoking and drinking is a Mormon. I can attest with

absolute certainty that Ann is NOT a Scientologist, nor does she receive

funding from them. But what if she was? So what? What difference would

it make if she were Jewish, or Buddhist for that matter? I hope that

those who read your article will acknowledge that we have a work to do.

There is no reason why we can’t put down our defenses and all of us -

Mormons, Scientologists, Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims and every other

religious group – work together to sift out the propaganda from the truth

about these drugs.

We must remember that ALL drugs can have paradoxical effects. Penicillin

can kill deadly bacteria, yet it can also be deadly to certain people. As

well, individuals metabolize SSRIS quite differently. While some patients

may believe they benefit from these drugs, a sizeable percent of the

population will suffer terribly from the side effects. When the risks far

outweigh the benefits, as is becoming evident with this class of drugs, do

we really want to play “Russian Roulette” and chance being one of the

“victims”?

The increase in the number of persons prescribed SSRIS over the last ten

years should make all of us think long and hard about what we’re doing. Are

we indeed striving for universal happiness through a pill called Prozac?

Is there no other way?

I look forward to an intelligent debate that hopefully will lead the public

to become better educated consumers, especially where their health is

concerned.

Sincerely,

Cassandra Dawn Casey

3218 Davencourt Circle

Lehi, UT 84043

Home 801-768-1748

Office 801-221-9930 X 122

August 24, 2004