Pro(zac)s and Cons
Posted by Vicki Scholtz | 15 May, 2007The Cow was seriously shocked to read that last year saw more than 31 million prescriptions issued for Prozac in the UK. Assuming no one got more than one, that implied that more than half of the population was on happy pills. At the same time, in our own back yard, research showed that "the average number of days per year an employee was ill for psychological reasons was 4.6 days, double the time the average employee takes off for other illnesses".
Gramsci shrugged his multiple shoulders. "That's the difference between Discovery and the NHS," he suggested. "Here, no one can afford Prozac, so they sit around glumly at home struggling with the Su Doku. There, give them a dose of chemicals and send them back to work."
The Cow sighed. She recalled vividly the former acting HR Director admitting that it had long been common cause that UCT was a disproportionate consumer of psychiatric services, and that was even before the era of Reviews.
"Perhaps the time really has come to put it in the water?" she suggested tentatively.
Gramsci snorted, "Have you forgotten about the water restrictions?" he asked. "Not to mention the vanishing practice of 'tea time'."
"So what do you suggest?" the Cow challenged.
"Well," he suggested, "the studies on eco-therapy seem promising?"
"Ha!" exploded the Cow. "90% reported increased self-esteem? Can't see anyone taking that chance! Next they'd be demanding a living wage, and human working conditions!"
Gramsci pondered long and hard. "Well, they do have nice views from their Mountain offices...." he ventured.
