Dear Supporters,

Today, I want to share with you two deeply troubling stories that highlight how failures in our mental health system and psychiatric medication management can lead to devastating consequences. These cases raise critical questions about the widespread use of psychiatric drugs, the risks that come with them, and the urgent need for better safeguards like genetic testing and more cautious prescribing.

 
Case 1: The Norfolk Man Convicted of Attempted Murder of an Exmore Police Officer
Dwayne Lamont Smith, a Norfolk man in his early 30s, was recently convicted of attempted capital murder after he fired multiple shots at Exmore Police Officer Robert Wilkins during a traffic stop in November 2022. Thankfully, Officer Wilkins survived, but the incident was harrowing and dangerous.

Smith was under the influence of psychiatric medication side effects and withdrawal at the time. Medications like Adderall, which is prescribed for ADHD, come with FDA black box warnings about risks including sudden death, serious cardiovascular events, psychosis, and severe mental health side effects. For some people, these medications are lifesaving, but for others, especially without proper monitoring, they can trigger spiraling mental health crises or violent behavior.

 ╰┈➤Smith was prescribed Adderall or similar stimulants, did they ever ask him about past addictive behaviors or preexisting mental health conditions?
╰┈➤Did he receive proper warnings about side effects and the potential for addiction or psychosis?
╰┈➤Was he offered pharmacogenetic testing, like a GeneSight test, to determine if his body could safely metabolize these drugs? Some people have genetic variations that make them metabolize medications poorly, resulting in toxic buildup and severe adverse effects including psychosis and suicidal depression.
╰┈➤Did Smith experience untreated or undertreated mental health issues, or fall into addiction after stopping or abusing medication?

These questions matter deeply because medication side effects and improper prescribing practices may have contributed to this tragedy. They highlight the need for better monitoring, more personalized treatment, and greater accountability in psychiatric care.   Too often, people complete intake and start medication, only to stop taking it later—often due to issues like payment—and providers fail to follow up. In the world of mental health, this lack of continuity poses a serious risk to society.  

 
Case 2: The Willis Wharf Man with a Two-Week Crime Spree and Dangerous Polypharmacy

A 32-year-old from Willis Wharf, was recently sentenced with suspended sentences after a two-week crime spree. Through conversations, he disclosed the extensive list of psychiatric medications he was taking — a potent cocktail of 7 to 8 drugs including venlafaxine, Cymbalta, and Effexor, all antidepressants with black box warnings about increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.  

This man’s case sheds light on the darker side of psychiatric treatment — polypharmacy, or the prescription of multiple psychiatric drugs simultaneously, often without adequate oversight. The sheer number and combination of medications raise concerns about safety and proper management:

╰┈➤Did his prescribers warn him of the severe side effects and interaction risks?
╰┈➤Was he ever recommended a pharmacogenetic test to tailor his medications based on his unique genetic profile? Without this, patients are at increased risk of adverse reactions or lack of therapeutic benefit.
╰┈➤How many patients are pushed onto multiple medications without proper long-term evaluation, resulting in bizarre symptoms and worsening mental health?
╰┈➤If he had access to brain imaging clinics like the Amen Clinics, he might have received scans revealing medication-induced brain changes causing his symptoms, possibly preventing the crime spree.
 
The Bigger Picture: What Do These Stories Tell Us?
Both cases reflect a broken system where powerful psychiatric medications are too easily prescribed, often without genetic testing or adequate patient education. These drugs carry FDA black box warnings for serious side effects including psychosis, suicidal ideation, cardiovascular risks, and addiction potential.

A sarcastic TikTok video recently highlighted a common misconception: “Novel idea: what if you took your meds without mixing them with drugs or alcohol?” maybe they'd actually work! But the real question is deeper — do medications like Adderall or Ritalin, when introduced early in life (or at anytime really), contribute to long-term risks including addiction and experimentation with recreational drugs as well as the development of psychosis and other concerning dangerous behaviors? There seems to be a troubling correlation with devastating consequences—families are torn apart, individuals suffering from mental health disorders are left struggling, and countless others are impacted by the resulting symptoms. In today’s world, the go-to solution is often to simply prescribe a pill, even when the problems are far more complex and serious. It's easier to believe we're addressing mental health by pointing to medication than it is to confront the deeper, systemic issues. Truly addressing these challenges would require a fundamentally different world—one rooted in compassion and empathy, not controlled by predatory, opportunistic systems.

 
What Should be "Realized" 
╰┈➤Mandatory pharmacogenetic testing (e.g., GeneSight) before prescribing psychiatric medications, especially stimulants and antidepressants.
╰┈➤Increased monitoring and accountability for polypharmacy cases to avoid dangerous drug cocktails.
╰┈➤Comprehensive patient education about black box warnings and potential side effects.
╰┈➤More research into the long-term impact of early stimulant use on addiction and mental health outcomes.
╰┈➤Better mental health support systems that emphasize therapy, lifestyle interventions, and personalized care over heavy reliance on medications.
╰┈➤Transparent reporting and oversight of prescribers who neglect patient safety.
 
These two stories are heartbreaking but also call us to action. We owe it to those suffering to create a system that treats mental health responsibly, safely, and with true compassion.

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can co-create lasting change.

In hope and solidarity,
Clelia 

#MentalHealthReform #MedicationSafety #GeneSightTesting #BlackBoxWarnings #StopPolypharmacy