Foe of antidepressants to testify in Utah trial

LINDON — A woman who campaigns against antidepressants has agreed to testify at a trial of an American Fork man accused of fatally shooting his boss — an event defense attorneys say was prompted in part by the prescription drug Paxil.

Ann Tracy, author of "Prozac: Panacea of Pandora?" who spoke last week at the Total Health Institute, is expected to testify in the capital murder case of Darrell Kinyon about the negative effects of using antidepressants. Kinyon is accused of killing Kent Neil Griffiths after being suspended for improper use of his work computer.

During the presentation, Tracy said as many people die every week from use of properly prescribed medications as the number of people who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"They're giving us another 9/11 every week, so who are the terrorists?" Tracy said. "And all we can worry about is Iraq."

Although Tracy has been on a 15-year crusade to fight medicated drugs — especially antidepressants — she said she has only spoken on the matter in Utah County twice.

Perhaps, she suggests, that is because Utah is the antidepressant capital of the world.

Tracy, who lives in West Jordan, says Utahns use two times the national average of antidepressants. It's estimated that Utah County residents use six times the Utah average, she said. "We have a serious, serious problem in our country today when it comes to drugs," Tracy said.

One particular problem that arises when drugs and antidepressants are used, she says, is an increase in violence where there normally wouldn't be any. As a result, Tracy has served as a key witness for the defense in several high-profile murder cases.

For example, Tracy has testified on behalf of Andrea Yates, a Texas woman charged with drowning her five children. In the end, a Texas jury sentenced her to life in prison instead of giving her the death penalty.

"I don't think I've found a case yet of a mother who killed her children who wasn't on these drugs," Tracy said.

There are much better ways to deal with anxiety and depression, Tracy said, as she held up her two Chihuahua puppies. Pets are one way, she said.

"There's all kinds of physical effects that you get when you've got an animal," Tracy said. "People need to understand that we need them as much as they need us."

The exploration of alternative as well as traditional medicine is an idea particularly supported by the Total Health Institute.

According to Thaya Gilmore, a doctor associated with the institute, a patient's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs are all addressed by the clinic.

The institute initiated the free, weekly presentations two years ago as a way to discuss innovative approaches to medicine.

"We're trying to be involved with the community," Gilmore said. "We want to help (people) be aware of the preventative measures available for good health."

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E-mail: achoate@desnews.com