............A. HOW SERIOUS ARE PCV'S CONCERNS ABOUT LARIAM?
Mefloquine, known commonly under the brand name Lariam, is the most prescribed malaria drug in the world and has been used by PCV's in Africa for over ten years. It's clearly the most effective drug. And controversial.
An increasing number of Lariam users have reported depression, nightmares, hallucinations, paranoia and other psychotic symptoms after taking the drug. Now the Washington Times' Insight magazine has published an article saying that Lariam has triggered mental problems so severe that in a small percentage of users it has led to suicide.
Other researchers say that all medications have side-effects, that Lariam's side-effects are well known and have been disclosed, that studies have shown only a small percentage of volunteers are affected, that if patients are properly screened and the medication prescribed with informed consent that its benefits far outweigh its risks, and that the charges have been sensationalized.
Read our special report that provides both sides of the Lariam controversy as well as an assessment of Lariam by an RPCV who served in the Gambia about possible Neurological Side Effects of Mefloquine.
What has been your own experience receiving Lariam in the Peace Corps?
...........B. SENATOR DODD INTRODUCING PEACE CORPS LEGISLATION
The newest version of Senator Chris Dodd's Peace Corps legislation is available on our web site. We sent out advance copies of the legislation for comment and have four op-ed pieces on the legislation with a variety of opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of the bill which may be introduced as early as this week in the Senate. Read the bill, read the op-ed pieces and make up your mind where you stand on this important piece of legislation
...........C. COME TO THE NPCA ZOO FEST ON SATURDAY
Last issue we highlighted the Returned Volunteers Country of Service Flag Procession from Lincoln Memorial to Arlington Cemetery on Sunday morning, June 23 and the Closing Ceremony at the Amphitheatre at Arlington Cemetery at:
The 40th plus one also has a program of activities open to all RPCVs this Saturday, June 22. Read about the world music festival at the National Zoo at:
...........D. PEACE CORPS CARTOONS - THIS MONTH - "PUNISHMENT"
Last month we put up our Peace Corps Cartoon called "Visit to a PCV in the field" and asked our readers to come up with the funniest caption. See what RPCVs wrote and compare it to the original caption. Then, take a look at our cartoon for this month - "Punishment" - and come up with your own caption for it.
...........E. THE IDPA: FORERUNNER OF THE PEACE CORPS
The International Development Placement Association, a forerunner of the Peace Corps, was created in 1951 to place people in modestly-paid jobs with indigenous organizations and governments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Read this essay written especially for PCOL by the founder of the IDPA Douglas Kelley.
Read this speech by Liberia RPCV Angene H. Wilson, Professor of Social Studies Education at the University of Kentucky and a Board Member at the NPCA on the Impact of the Peace Corps at:
There have been many posts by RPCVs in the last month commenting on previous stories PCOL has posted. Be sure and take a look at what RPCVs had to say about the following stories:
...........A. WHY THE PEACE CORPS NEEDS A FOURTH GOAL
No op-ed piece since the Gaddi Vasquez nomination last year has elicited more posts than this one by Eritrea RPCV John Rude written exclusively for PCOL on why the Peace Corps needs the Fourth Goal and what it will mean for the Peace Corps. Read what 40 RPCVs have said about the subject, then weigh in with your own opinion at:
Morocco RPCV Barbara Ferris and Ethiopia RPCV John Coyne were two of the strongest advocates against the nomination of Gaddi Vasquez as Peace Corps Director. Now these two founding members of the "Committee for the Future of the Peace Corps" have formed "The Peace Corps Fund" to provide grants to help promote RPCV efforts to advance the third goal of the Peace Corps. Read more about the Peace Corps Fund at:
...........P. PANAMA RPCV FLORENCE REED FORMED SUSTAINABLE HARVEST INTERNATIONAL TO WORK IN REVERSING RAINFOREST DESTRUCTION AND POVERTY IN CENTRAL AMERICA
Peace Corps Online presents it's regular news sections with what is going on with: This Month's Features, Breaking News, Special Reports, the Archive of Recent Headlines, RPCV News, Service, the RPCV Directory, Speaking Out, Peace Corps News, The Third Goal, Advocacy and the Sign up for our Directory at:
We are always looking for Returned Volunteers who have something to say. If you would like to contribute an article about the Peace Corps, a visit to your Country of Service, work your group is doing, an op-ed piece, a cartoon, or a story, please contact us at:
...........D. If you or your group have news or an event that should go in our next Monthly Newsletter, post it directly to the PCOL web site or contact us at:
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