Paying tribute to veterans affected by Mefloquine

By Valerie Posthumus

The Haldimand Press

DUNNVILLE — On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 a wreath of remembrance was laid at the cenotaph in Dunnville for military personnel who have taken their lives due to the side effects of the drug Mefloquine.

Mike Rude was a member of the Airborne Regiment and served in Somalia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. Richard Brown, his friend, is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 142, who has not had the drug but has been diagnosed with Operational Stress Disorder after serving in the Royal Canadian Navy from 2003 to 2006.

Brown said, “He (Rude) was enroute to Nova Scotia so they planned this event to accommodate his attendance,” said Brown. “He has taken the drug and suffers many of the side effects, including attempting suicide twice. It was an event to bring awareness with the goal to place a wreath in every province.”