Zoloft Massacre Analysis

The “American Dream” is an ideology that is spoon fed to citizens across the country from birth. Golden words, as most would say, to achieve success equally through ‘hard work, determination, and initiative.’ That anyone can be what they choose to be if they put enough effort into it. This seems like a strong way of thinking for a country to live by. But, isn’t the definition of success different depending on who is being asked? It could be a multi million dollar company for some, but a violent rampage through a majorly populated city for others. Throughout the history of this great country, there have been insurmountable amounts of attacks on the people who occupy it. When looking at the statistics, it’s uncanny how often the reasoning for these malicious efforts fall under the umbrella of mental illness, and more specifically, depression. This did not just start happening recently, it’s been a common excuse since the birth of this country. ‘In the over 153 mass shootings in the country, over 65 of them claimed
Harris, the main plotter of the massacre, was found to be on therapeutic levels of Zoloft, a well known anti-depressant, as well as Luvox, a medicine used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. But. it is a well know, common fact that antipsychotics such as these pills will not work without approaching professional help. Sue Klebold, mother of Dylan, one of the shooters, speaks on the importance of the initial signs of mental illness. “We teach our kids the importance of good dental care, proper nutrition, and financial responsibility. How many of us teach our children to monitor their own brain health, or know how to do it ourselves?” (Klebold, 113) But, victim’s families and townspeople have raised multiple questions since, contemplating the true motive behind April 20th, 2000 and the lives that were