Psychoactive drug sales jump
NY (AP 10/12/01)

Sales of anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants and sleep aids have surged since last month's terrorist attacks, particularly in New York, as the nation struggled with everything from survivor guilt to depression.

In the weeks after terrorists turned airplanes into missiles that destroyed the WTC and part of the Pentagon, new prescriptions for sleep aids rose 27.5% in NYC. New prescriptions for antianxiety drugs rose 25%, and new prescriptions for antidepressants jumped 17% from the week before the attack to the week ended Sept. 28, according to NDCHealth, which gleaned the figures from retail sales.