njohnson747
10-22-06, 09:27 PM
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/8562/dextrosulf10mgoo2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
I find it interesting that for extended duration flights by US military personell there is an option to keep going when the body and mind cannot. It's the "Go-Pill".
The "Go-Pill" is better known pharmicologically as Dextroamphetamine Sulfate. On the street is is known as "Speed" but it's speedy effects vary widely from person to person and from brand to brand. (Pictured above is the "safer brand" manufactured by Barr).
The FDA, unfortunately, allows for a 20% differential between the generic form of the drug and the standard form. Often times the non-narcotic binding agent of the pill accelerates the "rush" effect and the stimulant becomes a completely different drug entirely. Such is the case with the Shire Maufactured "Dextrostat".
http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/4141/p06334d4cp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
It makes for a slippery slope to addiction but is used widely on long duration flights by the B-2 stealth bombers flying non-stop from Missouri USA to the middle east and back.
This is just one example of many uses of the pill by the US military. It should be noted that these flights are 36 hours in length and require extended focus and alertness. The target must be bombed, the plane must be refueled in flight several times and the return trip must go as smoothly as possible - fatigue notwithstanding.
The "Go-Pill" is actively manufactured by both Barr and Shire pharmacuetical companies and is distinctly different from other stimulants on the market. It has been classified by the US Federal Government as a Schedule II controlled substance. That means it can only be prescribed for highly specific uses by all doctors (military included). There are no refills - a doctor cannot just "call in the prescription" and the stock on hand in any pharmacy must be locked and very tightly regulated by personnel who handle the drug...in the civilian world. However five and ten milligram tablets are regulation required for B-2 bomber flights and are widely used in other branches of the military to stave off combat fatigue.
The use (or misuse) of this on-hand stock is not only a slippery slope to addiction but can also lead to combat errors that cost lives. Such was the case during the opening salvo of the US bombing of Afganistan when an american fighter aircraft mistakenly identified a cluster of troops on the ground as enemy afgan militia. They were in fact Canadian military personnel on recon and were killed in the resulting bombing run. The pilot was court martialed and had only one defense: his use of the Go-Pill and it's deliterious effect on fatigue which should otherwise have been remedied by sleep.
Dextroamphetamine Sulfate is used in the civilian world to treat Narcolepsy (the uncontrollable desire to sleep) as well as Attention Defecit Disorder - and in rare cases - for wieght loss. Ever heard of "Dexatrim" the diet pill? Guess where they got the name? Well, it was originally concocted as a delivery mechanism for the appetite suppressing effects of the stimulant amphetamine - Dextroamphetamine Sulfate. Not anymore. Those days are over...in the civilian world.
After all fatigue management techniques have been exhausted (pardon the pun) these pills are in bags on the plane available for use at the pilot's discretion. The question is whether or not the "Go Pill" should be used in combat when the body and mind cannot go anymore.
You can read the official miltary regulations for the use of Dextroamphetamine Sulfate (and other performance-enhancing drugs) at the following web address: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/51fw/44/51fwi44-102/51fwi44-102.pdf
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3086/b2cd1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
I find it interesting that for extended duration flights by US military personell there is an option to keep going when the body and mind cannot. It's the "Go-Pill".
The "Go-Pill" is better known pharmicologically as Dextroamphetamine Sulfate. On the street is is known as "Speed" but it's speedy effects vary widely from person to person and from brand to brand. (Pictured above is the "safer brand" manufactured by Barr).
The FDA, unfortunately, allows for a 20% differential between the generic form of the drug and the standard form. Often times the non-narcotic binding agent of the pill accelerates the "rush" effect and the stimulant becomes a completely different drug entirely. Such is the case with the Shire Maufactured "Dextrostat".
http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/4141/p06334d4cp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
It makes for a slippery slope to addiction but is used widely on long duration flights by the B-2 stealth bombers flying non-stop from Missouri USA to the middle east and back.
This is just one example of many uses of the pill by the US military. It should be noted that these flights are 36 hours in length and require extended focus and alertness. The target must be bombed, the plane must be refueled in flight several times and the return trip must go as smoothly as possible - fatigue notwithstanding.
The "Go-Pill" is actively manufactured by both Barr and Shire pharmacuetical companies and is distinctly different from other stimulants on the market. It has been classified by the US Federal Government as a Schedule II controlled substance. That means it can only be prescribed for highly specific uses by all doctors (military included). There are no refills - a doctor cannot just "call in the prescription" and the stock on hand in any pharmacy must be locked and very tightly regulated by personnel who handle the drug...in the civilian world. However five and ten milligram tablets are regulation required for B-2 bomber flights and are widely used in other branches of the military to stave off combat fatigue.
The use (or misuse) of this on-hand stock is not only a slippery slope to addiction but can also lead to combat errors that cost lives. Such was the case during the opening salvo of the US bombing of Afganistan when an american fighter aircraft mistakenly identified a cluster of troops on the ground as enemy afgan militia. They were in fact Canadian military personnel on recon and were killed in the resulting bombing run. The pilot was court martialed and had only one defense: his use of the Go-Pill and it's deliterious effect on fatigue which should otherwise have been remedied by sleep.
Dextroamphetamine Sulfate is used in the civilian world to treat Narcolepsy (the uncontrollable desire to sleep) as well as Attention Defecit Disorder - and in rare cases - for wieght loss. Ever heard of "Dexatrim" the diet pill? Guess where they got the name? Well, it was originally concocted as a delivery mechanism for the appetite suppressing effects of the stimulant amphetamine - Dextroamphetamine Sulfate. Not anymore. Those days are over...in the civilian world.
After all fatigue management techniques have been exhausted (pardon the pun) these pills are in bags on the plane available for use at the pilot's discretion. The question is whether or not the "Go Pill" should be used in combat when the body and mind cannot go anymore.
You can read the official miltary regulations for the use of Dextroamphetamine Sulfate (and other performance-enhancing drugs) at the following web address: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/51fw/44/51fwi44-102/51fwi44-102.pdf
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3086/b2cd1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)