Tennessee Studies Drug Links to Violence

A new state law directs officials to examine whether psychotropic drugs played a role in mass shootings by requiring toxicology testing on deceased shooters. The measure was approved by lawmakers amid growing concerns that mind altering psychiatric medications may contribute to violent or self destructive behavior.

The law calls for medical examiners to test for the presence of antidepressants antipsychotics and other psychiatric drugs and to make the findings available for further review. Supporters argue that this information has been missing from public discussions about violence and that drug effects have been ignored while psychiatric treatment is promoted as a solution.

Governor Bill Lee signed the legislation after debate in the Tennessee General Assembly. Backers of the law say it is intended to bring transparency and accountability to an area long shielded from scrutiny and to determine whether prescribed psychiatric drugs are linked to dangerous outcomes.