Opinion: New Ideas Needed to Stop Campus Violence
Monday March 10, 2008
Print This- Select Text Size:
Comments
Jennifer Thew, RN, BSN, MSJ
advertisement
Tragedies like this, and the ones at Virginia Tech and Columbine, often raise questions for those coping with the aftermath. How could this happen? Why would someone do something like this?
Unfortunately, there are often no concrete answers to these questions. In all three cases, the gunmen were among the dead, and the rationale for their actions went with them. Any insight we have often is reached by trying to piece together the information they left behind. Getting answers to these questions may be even more difficult in the NIU case. According to news reports, Kazmierczak took steps to keep his motive a mystery.
But there is one question with potential to be answered by those left behind. That question is "What can we do to stop these horrific events from happening?" I've already heard some suggestions on the radio, television, and from people I know.
The most common suggestion is to create stricter gun laws. It's typical to hear this after a mass shooting. But this time I've also heard some ideas I've never heard before.
Although it seems Kazmierczak purchased his guns legally, it's reported he spent time in a psychiatric treatment center after high school. During an interview, his girlfriend told CNN he was prescribed Ambien, Xanax, and Prozac, but he stopped taking the antidepressant when he carried out the shooting. Kazmierczak obtained firearms despite his history of mental illness.
I heard one person suggest those with a known history of mental illness should have it listed on their driver's license. That solution may prevent them from buying guns but also may deter those in need of mental health care from getting help.
One final suggestion someone made is to mandate all people taking psychotropic medication take part in a medication compliance program. They would be required to be part of a registry and check in with a compliance clinic weekly. That way it would be known if they were or were not taking their medications, if they needed medication adjustments, and if they were experiencing undesirable outcomes.
I think it's a positive step that people are finding new ways to address something that is, sadly, becoming more common in our society. I can't say I agree or disagree with any of these proposed solutions, but I hope we are eventually able to find ways to stop the pain and suffering that contributes to and results in tragedies like the one at NIU.
Jennifer Thew, RN, BSN, MSJ, is the editorial director of the Greater Chicago and Heartland editions of Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek. To comment, e-mail jthew@gannetthg.com.
Reader Comments
Login
Be the first to comment!