Whiskey and cigarettes

I think it was John Lee Hooker (and every other bluesman) who sang of whiskey and cigarettes (and wild women, whenever possible), at one time not long ago. That was then, this is now. The National Transportation Safety Board investigating the collision of the Chinese freighter ship Cosco Busan with the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Nov. 8, 2007, which spilled 53,000 gallons of fuel into the bay, disclosed a list of prescription drugs that the 60 year old local pilot of the ship was taking or had taken in the past (in addition to his past alcohol addiction.) Why such personal medical information is being disclosed to the public poses another question altogether, but in the meantime, let's set the particulars of this case aside for a minute to ponder an example of another overmedicated American. Here is the disclosed list of one man's medications:

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS:

-Provigil to ward off drowsiness. Known side effects include impaired judgment.

-Valium as a sleep aid. Side effects can include confusion, depression, lightheadedness or fainting spells.

-Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety drug. Side effects can include confusion, depression, double vision or abnormal eye movements, weakness or tiredness.

-Darvon Compound-65, a narcotic pain reliever. An expert doctor told the NTSB it was inadvisable to take with Lorazepam.

-Wellbutrin, an anti-depressant. Side effects can include confusion and agitation.

-Aciflux for heartburn.

-Lipitor for high cholesterol. Side effects can include tiredness.

-Alphagan, used to treat glaucoma. Side effects can include tiredness or blurred vision.

-Imitrex, a migraine drug. Side effects can include dizziness or faintness, seizures and tiredness.

-Synthroid for thyroid deficiency. Side effects can include difficulty breathing and sleeping.

-Potassium citrate for kidney stones. Side effects can include tiredness.

Whiskey and cigarettes anyone?