The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police spread quietly across the nation over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
At least 94 people died after they were given sedatives and restrained by police from 2012 through 2021, according to findings by the AP in collaboration with FRONTLINE (PBS) and the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism. That’s nearly 10% of the more than 1,000 deaths identified during the investigation of people subdued by police in ways that are not supposed to be fatal.
Supporters say sedatives enable rapid treatment for drug-related behavioral emergencies and psychotic episodes, protect front-line responders from violence and are safely administered thousands of times annually to get people with life-threatening conditions to hospitals. Critics say forced sedation should be strictly limited or banned, arguing the medications, given without consent, are too risky to be administered during police encounters.
Children race to collect marshmallows dropped from a helicopter at a Detroit
Federal data does not show a soaring number of unauthorized migrants registering to vote
US officials warn of increase in bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis and possibly death
Woman identified as person killed in fall at daughter's Ohio State graduation
Lawsuit seeks to force ban on menthol cigarettes after delays by Biden
Online posts erroneously tie Senate minority leader’s late sister
US officials warn of increase in bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis and possibly death
Badosa shows signs of her old form in a win over Andreeva at the Italian Open
Recreational marijuana backers try to overcome rocky history in South Dakota
With new trilateral partnership, Philippines eyes more foreign investment — Radio Free Asia