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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The prescription of psychotropic drugs to treat
3psychiatric disorders has greatly increased in recent years;
4and
 
5    WHEREAS, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has, since
62004, required manufacturers of selective serotonin reuptake
7inhibitor antidepressant medications (SSRIs) to add black box
8warnings to their product labeling, advising that studies have
9shown an increase in suicidal thinking and behavior among
10children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, Health authorities in Canada, the European Union,
13Australia, and Great Britain have issued warnings regarding the
14increased risk of self-harm or harm to others associated with
15SSRIs; and
 
16    WHEREAS, In recent years there have been numerous
17documented instances of suicides and acts of violence against
18others by persons reported to have been taking antidepressants
19and/or other psychotropic medications; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
21NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

 

 

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1the Psychotropic Substances Suicide Risk Task Force be created
2within the Department of Public Health to (1) study and report
3upon the available research relevant to the reputed causal link
4between prescription of psychotropic substances and acts of
5suicide or violence against others; (2) to evaluate whether the
6State of Illinois' current policies with regard to psychotropic
7substances are adequate to protect the public; and (3) to make
8recommendations as to whether Illinois should consider
9adopting additional policies with regard to psychotropic
10substances, including but not limited to requiring county
11coroners to test for psychotropic substances in cases of
12suspected suicide; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the
14following members: 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the
15House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed
16co-chairperson, and 3 members appointed by the Minority Leader
17of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed
18co-chairperson; and 2 members appointed by the Director of the
19Department of Public Health, one a mental health advocate and
20one a psychiatric medical professional; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall take voluntary
22assistance and testimony from individuals and/or professional
23organizations and institutions; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall serve
2without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual expenses
3while serving on the Task Force from funds appropriated to the
4Department of Public Health for that purpose; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report
6to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December
731, 2011.