# Veterans Strategic Solutions > To enhance the survival of the veteran public ## Posts - [Combat Cocktail’: How America Overmedicates Veterans ](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/08/15/combat-cocktail-how-america-overmedicates-veterans/): A couple of our coalition members worked with the WSJ on this article. https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/veterans-affairs-ptsd-polypharmacy-3c9673ac?st=67dvdN&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink - [Written Informed Consent For Veterans With High-Risk Medications - By a former VA Secretary](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/08/15/written-informed-consent-for-veterans-with-high-risk-medications-by-a-former-va-secretary/): https://shulkinblog.com/f/written-informed-consent-for-veterans-with-high-risk-medications - [Press conference orchestrated by a member of our coalition re Veteran Overmedication (includes videos)](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/08/15/press-conference-orchestrated-by-a-member-of-our-coalition-re-veteran-overmedication-includes-videos/) - [Report: 3 In 5 Veterans Treated For PTSD Are On At Least Two Psych Meds](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/08/15/report-3-in-5-veterans-treated-for-ptsd-are-on-at-least-two-psych-meds/): https://thefederalist.com/2025/08/11/report-3-in-5-veterans-treated-for-ptsd-are-on-at-least-two-psych-meds/ - [Author LTC Bart Billings asked John Spagnola to write the forward to his most recent book:](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/04/05/author-ltc-bart-billings-asked-john-spagnola-to-write-the-forward-to-his-most-recent-book/): How the Media Creates Victims in Our Society In this eye-opening exposé, Dr. Bart P. Billings, a seasoned psychologist and veteran advocate, pulls back the curtain on the media’s role in shaping societal perceptions and behaviors. Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research, Dr. Billings reveals how modern media often prioritizes sensationalism over truth, inadvertently... - [The Untold Story of Benzodiazepine Dependency](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/04/05/the-untold-story-of-benzodiazepine-dependency/) - [After kicking six different medications, this veteran now studies ‘overmedication’ in VA care](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/02/15/after-kicking-six-different-medications-this-veteran-now-studies-overmedication-in-va-care/): https://buchanan.house.gov/2023/6/buchanan-to-introduce-three-bills-to-support-america-s-heroes-ahead-of-independence-day Derek Blumke and John Spagnola are on a coalition that is investigating the concerns over high risk medications to veterans, as well as the issue of Written Informed Consent. - [A List of Drugs Linked to Dementia Risk](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2025/02/14/a-list-of-drugs-linked-to-dementia-risk/): https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/these-drugs-may-cause-memory-loss - [My Red October – An Army Veteran’s Crucible to Recovery](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2024/12/05/my-red-october-an-army-veterans-crucible-to-recovery/): Diana Rodriguez believes her marriage, family and life were devastated due to the adverse effects of a medication in which she was unaware of the potential side effects. She has now become a partner in the quest to pass Written Informed Consent. - [How Big Pharma Sold Depression to the World](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2024/10/24/219/) - [Written Informed Consent - An Introduction and Action Plan](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2024/05/09/written-informed-consent-an-introduction-and-action-plan/): Guest post by John Spagnola Currently, our veterans are faced with rising suicide, polypharmacy and overdose rates.In fact, suicide rates have unfortunately maintained for over 10 years, in spite of billions of dollars being spent on various programs and administrative modifications. Sometimes it is simplicity that can be most effective. Many veterans and Veterans Service... - [Washington DC Legislative Activities Update on Written Informed Consent](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2024/05/09/washington-dc-legislative-activities-update-on-written-informed-consent/): Dear DailyClout, We must protect our veterans’ mental and physical well-being by ensuring that they receive full and adequate information when they are prescribed the following black box medications – antipsychotics,  antidepressants, stimulants, narcotics, and anti-anxiety medications.  This would make it the prescriber’s responsibility to inform the veteran of the various, possible side effects of any... - [H.R.5633 - Veteran Suicide Prevention Act118th Congress (2023-2024](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2024/05/09/h-r-5633-veteran-suicide-prevention-act118th-congress-2023-2024/): I had written this bill some years back. It is so popular that it continues to attract US Congressmen to sponsor it newly, every congressional session. I’ve had over 70 US Congressman co-sponsor (support) it in one session. The bill asks for a study to be to be done on Veteran Suicides, to see if... - [An alarming rise in military suicides: Unveiling hidden crisis and urgent need for action](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2023/06/28/an-alarming-rise-in-military-suicides-unveiling-hidden-crisis-and-urgent-need-for-action/): MARTHA ROSENBERG  During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, suicides among active-duty troops were frequently reported. Since then, news reports have subsided but the suicides have not. In fact, a 2022 report from the Defense Suicide Prevention Office revealed that there were more suicides in 2021 than any other year since the September 11 attacks. According to Army Times,... - [Managing Medications for Mental Health in Military Personnel](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2023/06/28/managing-medications-for-mental-health-in-military-personnel/): Abimbola Farinde, PhD, PharmD Pharmacists can be instrumental in helping to curtail the prevalence of psychotropic medication misuse while also providing unique expertise on drug information. Military life is thought to be a risk factor for psychiatric problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, because of working in... - [VSS Mission Statement](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2023/06/24/vss-mission-statement/): Veterans Strategic Solutions (VSS) was created to form alliances and strategic coalitions,irrespective of political affiliation, in order to enlighten, inform and increase awareness, toenhance the survival of the veteran public, who individually would not have the strength northe power of such influential alliances. One of our areas of expertise is to seek out and align leaders... - [Welcome to Veterans Strategic Solutions!](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/2023/06/23/hello-world/): Thank you for stopping by our website. ## Pages - [Gallery](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/gallery/) - [Blog](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/blog/) - [Contact](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/contact/) - [About John Spagnola](https://johnspagnola.org/): ” John is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working on a collaborative basis with like-minded organizations to accomplish mutually aligned goals.” Congressman Gus Bilirakis introduces the Written Informed Consent Act! HR 4837 Here’s a link to access your US Congressman and/ or US Senator. You can ask them to support... - [Mission Statement](https://johnspagnola.org/index.php/mission/): Veterans Strategic Solutions (VSS) was created to form alliances and strategic coalitions,irrespective of political affiliation, in order to enlighten, inform and increase awareness, toenhance the survival of the veteran public, who individually would not have the strength northe power of such influential alliances. One of our areas of expertise is to seek out and align... [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)