Report: Fort Hood Soldier Died Of Drug Overdose While Home On Leave
Report: Fort Hood Soldier Died Of Drug Overdose While Home On Leave Save Email Print
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(December 2, 2008)—The results of tests show that the death of a Fort Hood gunner who was found unconscious while home on leave from Iraq was caused by an overdose of prescription pain medication.

Pvt. Dustin Mark Tucker, 22, of Kenwood, Calif., who completed a deployment to Iraq in March, was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital on Aug. 28 after his parents found him unconscious at their home two days after he started an 18-day leave.

His kidneys failed the next day and on Aug. 30 he died

An autopsy did not show a cause of death, so more testing was ordered and the tests showed that Tucker died of a lethal combination of methadone and oxycodone.

Tucker’s parents say they believe their son's wartime experiences in Iraq made it hard for him to sleep, and led him to take the drugs.

He had not told his parents he was on any medication.

Tucker joined the Army in August 2007 and served as an indirect fire infantryman assigned to the 4th Infantry Division’s 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment.
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Posted by: anonymous Location: Austin on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Don't judge this young man. He who has no sin, be the first to cast a stone. That's what I thought. I feel sorry for our military having to come back after serving in Iraq. God bless his soul. It is very easy to get addicted to pain meds. Alchohol is a "drug" and lately I have been noticing some of the ones who are supposed to uphold the law be the very ones who have a problem with it. To the family of this young man. God knows it all and he loved your son. May the good Lord comfort you and all our military men and women. We need to help our brothers and sisters who are having problems instead of taking every opportunity to accuse. One day we all will give an account for every word good and bad we have spoken.
Posted by: Mom Location: waco on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:49 AM
I agree with Still Hurting my son has a bad addiction and it makes them do thangs they wouldnt do if they didnt have it the thang is what to do to try to help them and parents do all we can Its not the person that is doing all the bad it is the drugs If you dont know any thang about addiction you need to keep your mouth shut. Your mother,dad, kids,grandkids could have one one day than are you going to say the same about them NO you will try to help them I also lost a sister to a drug addiction. And a dad with a addiction not drugs beer win what ever he could drink so becareful what you say you could be in our shoes one day or someone you love any way.
Posted by: still hurting on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:00 PM
John, you must have NO idea what it's like to suffer the lose of a loved one. I am no where near being a junky, but I have lost two very special people that suffered from an illness called ADDICTION! Karma can be a good thing in your case. Being an addict does not make someone a bad person. Wish someone would have reached out to him
Posted by: c Location: waco on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:33 PM
to "p" in temple ... tell John it's the land of the free because of the brave!
Posted by: p Location: Temple on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:53 PM
If you have time to read this you have time to say a prayer to protect our troops and pray for his family, it does not matter why he did it because they may never know. To JOHN maybe you should move to one of these worn torn countries and then count your blessings we in live in the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: alli Location: Waco on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:41 PM
I feel for this young man's family. We will never know the reason as to why he did the things that he did, but do not be so quick to blame the military. I have friends who have been to Iraq on two or three different tours of duty who claim that it's not so bad. You have good days and bad days, just like anywhere else; however, all you seem to hear about on the news are the bad. I don't support this "war" in Iraq, nor the one in Afghanistan, but I am damn proud of our troops and what they have accomplished, even if it's not something that I feel we should be doing. I have lost too many loved ones. It's a disheartening feeling to know that people are ignorant to the facts of life. Just because he was in the military doesn't mean that he deserved to die, nor does it mean that he chose to take his life because he couldn't handle the pressures. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. The bible says that you're not supposed to question God, but that doesn't mean I don't wonder why...
Posted by: Wow Location: Killeen on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Wow, methadone and oxycodone are very very strong pain pills, not sleeping pills. I feel bad this young soldier overdosed. But, if he was taking these in Iraq, he was putting all his fellow soldiers there at risk. I know that I wouldn't want someone on these drugs watching my back.
Posted by: I agree with Terry! Location: Waco on Dec 3, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Right on Terry! The land of the free BECAUSE of the brave. Thank you Pvt. Tucker, whatever your end and whatever your reasons. I hope that you are in a place where the horrors of war can touch your eyes no more.
Posted by: Vet family Location: Central Texas on Dec 3, 2008 at 03:09 PM
This is a tragedy. I believe too many young join the military for the wrong reasons. War is never pretty, yet we are in two wars and noone has been drafted against their will into any branch of our armed forces. Sadly, wars will continue as they have since the beginning of time. That's the main purpose of every nation's military and if you join just for something like a free education, you're in the wrong career. I agree with the Mrs in HH, there's help for those that choose to get it. And before you blast me...my father was in Vietnam and brother in Desert Storm.
Posted by: your mama Location: said i was on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:29 PM
john and everyone else, i have been to these military hospital, and darnell turns people into junkys as you call them. When i had my surgery, i was told to take vicoden,persocet and oxycotin all together every 6 hours so you cannot always blame the soldier whats up with the people who is perscribing the meds, any any way get a life
Posted by: Pedrito Location: Waco on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Have you ever served in the military, John?
Posted by: John Location: here on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Please,.... If this guy hadn't been in the service. You would all be saying the same thing as me.... "one less juny running around." Just because he was in the service doesn't mean he wasn't a junky or that he wouldn't have robbed you or your family to get a fix. Being in the military dosen't excuse bad behavior.
Posted by: me Location: copperas cove on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I pray for all the soldiers and their families. I have seen first hand what this war has done to our young men and woman. You go to a country where EVERY SINGLE DAY people want to kill you or blow you up. "John" some wimp like you would last the plane ride over much less 18 months of living on the edge worried EVERY SINGLE DAY will I get to go home will I die today will I ever get to see my baby that was born while I was gone. People like you really piss me off. It's thanks to our soldiers that you can come on this website and put your two stupid cents in. These soldiers didn't choose to start the war in Iraq. But they are over there defending your right to freedom and when they get back yes they have a hard time adjusting...So before you go calling any of our service men and woman junkies you should really take a long look in the mirror and know the facts before you spew your ignorance again.
Posted by: bell county on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Tell me why a 22yr old was taking methadone and oxycodone? The 2 most powerful pain meds you take with a prescription from a physician. Doesn't make any cense. If he was in that much pain he shouldn't have been over seas.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:06 AM
If you are going to use these young people to protect this country,then take care of them when thhey need the help. POlice officers see and deal with alot just like soldiers and they need to be taken care of as well. Dealing with animals of the world and in our own country is more than what people know.
Posted by: Terry Location: Temple on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:54 AM
John is pathetic at best. I agree if you are not going to stand behind our troops, then PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM. My son is in Iraq as well, god bless those men and women. And remember John, Karma is a bad thing!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: the Mrs Location: HH on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I am married to a severely wounded soldier he saw plenty of horror. All drug use and bad behavior cannot be blamed on the war, some people make bad decisions adn that is that. The military does offer care for soldiers dealing with mental issues, soldiers won't use it. How sad is that??? having gone through PTSD treatment with my husband I know it to be effective when you pursue the care and use the tools they give you to heal. However the soldier has to CHOOSE change. Tragic, yes this is, blame it on Uncle Sam and the war, I am not so quick to do so.
Posted by: rude comment Location: temple on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:01 AM
my dad still has trauma from both wars-please do not call him a junky----YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE WENT THROUGH THERE AND HERE YOU GO PASSING JUDGEMENT ON PEOPLE--WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT?????
Posted by: st Location: fthood on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Dear John, I pray that you find Jesus, these soldiers give their life so you can have freedom to write on this website. I pray that God opens your eyes to see that you are not perfect and are in great need of a savior Jesus Christ. This soldier rests in peace God is the giver and taker of life. God bless him and all other soldiers and their families. God bless our Troops
Posted by: Someone who cares Location: Waco area on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:22 AM
John -- before you pass judgement, why don't you stand in front of one of the soldiers for just a day and then maybe you will have a heart for what these fine men and women do for our country. Have you considered signing up instead of running your mouth? To this gentlemans family: You are in my thoughts and prayers, especially during the holidays. Your son may not be in our world any longer, but he is still a HERO.
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:31 AM
John is not just rude, he's childish and a coward.
Posted by: Here Location: Army Wife on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:44 AM
The comment you left was absolutely rude. This solider kiled himself because of the issues that continue to plague all of our soldiers who return from Iraq. He was not a junky at all. This is a sad tragedy. If you can't stand behind our troops, PLEASE stand in front of them!
Posted by: john Location: here on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:34 PM
One less junky running around.
Posted by: army spouse Location: temple on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:48 PM
i agree w/ Kris. Lets pray for that. My husband is over there. That would be a great gift!
Posted by: Kris Location: Waco on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:01 PM
This is incredibly sad. I feel for the men and women that serve in Iraq, and that they have issues to work through from being there. Lets pray for the best Christmas present ever- an end to this war and our soldiers home!
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