David Work: Monitor pilots on prescribed drugs

The recent crash of a German passenger plane producing at least 150 deaths deserves government attention. Media reports reveal that the co-pilot was being treated for mental health issues and was in complete control during this horrific event.

This event might have been prevented with a system for collecting reports from prescribers or dispensers of psychotherapeutic drugs used by pilots. This would apply to anyone with access to cabins of commercial airplanes.

With the close control of such drugs often used for mental health issues, similar horrific events could be prevented.

This system, combined with a policy of never leaving only one crew member in the cockpit at any time, would prevent similar events in the future.

This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 4:22 PM with the headline "David Work: Monitor pilots on prescribed drugs."