The 15th day of testimony at the Desmond Fatality Inquiry in Guysborough has adjourned.
The day was spent with Dr. Paul Smith, the family doctor who treated Lionel Desmond in 2015 and 2016, and signed off on his firearm license application.
He delivered a scathing critique of the way veterans with PTSD are treated.
Dr. Smith told the inquiry they lose their jobs and community.
“They’re treated like lepers. They’re cast to the wind, and it’s all about pills and psychotherapy. It’s pathetic,” he said. “There’s a large percentage of guys that no longer want to deal with the system at all, and they’re the ones that I see, and they’re probably the most volatile and dangerous people in the world, in terms of risk to themselves.”
He said many of them lose trust in the military stress clinics they’re sent to after discharge; they feel betrayed by the armed forces.
Dr. Smith said veteran’s affairs doesn’t treat them like they’re valuable either and, whether that’s a resource issue or an attitude, many take it personally.
Near the end of the day, inquiry lawyers asked Dr. Smith how treatment could be improved.
“It’s all about allowing people to develop relationships,” he said. “Without relationships they commit suicide, it’s that simple.”
Testimony continues Tuesday.
