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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-06-01, Page 1212 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday,June 1, 2005 Coroner's inquest wraps up in Exeter By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Gary Spurn may accomplish in death what he was unable to achieve in life — the chance to save another human being from an untimely demise due to a drug overdose. A coroner's inquest into Spurn's death wrapped up May 26 in Exeter. The jury, (two men and three women) took three hours to deliberate before coming back with a cause of death: a methamphetamine overdose. The results of this probe are sig- nificant because it's the first time the Ontario Coroner's office has held an inquest into the death of an individual caused by a metham- phetamine overdose. How did Spurn get to a point in his life that would lead to such a tragic end? His family says it all started after he separated from his wife. Spurn had a military background and served 11 years with the Canadian Navy. He decided to return to civilian life and moved his family back to Ontario from his post in British Columbia. Around 1996, Spurn and his wife separated and she had custody of their two sons. The boys are now 13 and nine. Gary Spurn served in the Canadian Navy Spurn's eldest sister, Janice Cox, for 11 years. This photo was taken in 1986. says, "The separation broke him. (photo/submitted) He had to pay a huge amount of his earnings as a mill- wright towards support. The payments were so high it made living on his own almost impossible. He got into a frenzied state." Cox says it wasn't long before her brother got mixed up with the wrong crowd and into drugs. While dealing with his own personal turmoil, Spurn was still reaching out to help others. His other sister, Linda Hinz, recalls Christmas 2003. She says, "An acquaintance, not even a close friend, lost his house in a fire. Gary took his whole paycheque and got a tree and presents for the kids." Spurn had already survived a heroin overdose, but he wasn't so lucky when it came to methamphetamine. On July 22, 2004, he was 40 -years -old and living in Woodham. Somehow Spurn ended up in the kitchen of a Coursey Line residence in Lucan. Eyewitness accounts suggest he was disoriented and incoherent. He stag- gered outside and ended up on the lawn flailing about. The resident called 911 and the first officer arrived on the scene at 2:11 p.m. followed by a second officer min- utes later. Spurn would not say who he was and he didn't have any identification. Further testimony found Spurn to be in distress and his colour was grey. OPP Const. Wendy Burrow testi- fied, "We realized from the start this male needed med- ical attention," and an ambu- lance was summoned. Spurn was handcuffed. Burrow testified, "He was showing a good deal of strength. At the same time he was swearing at us, yelling at us, calling us several different names." Both officers were concerned about Spurn's safe- ty, their own and the safety of four other witnesses. When paramedics arrived they determined Spurn had a low oxygen level and increased heart rate. There was concern he was diabetic so he was given an injection before being transported to South Huron Hospital. At the hospital, the hand- cuffs were removed and restraints were used to keep Spurn secured. A hospital toxicology report confirmed Spurn had drugs in his system. Emergency staff continued to treat him but by 4:30 p.m. his heart shut down and he was was pro- nounced dead. The coroner's inquest has concluded Spurn's death was accidental, caused by a methamphetamine over- dose complicated by starvation, hypothermia and hyper- kalemia (high potassium). Spurn's family and the coroner's jury want the mes- sage to get out about the deadly nature of this illegal drug available from the underground. Ninety per cent of those who take it for the first time, become addicted. Cox says Spurn's family tried to help him but, "You can't admit someone to rehab. It has to be their choice. Anybody can become addicted. It can happen to your best friend, son or daughter. It's an illness. We need to bring it up front and be able to get help. There's such a stigma." For Gary it's too late, but it may not be for someone else. Methamphetamine is a deadly drug By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Methamphetamine is an addictive, stimulant drug affect- ing the central nervous system. It's closely related to ampheta- mine, which was originally used in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. It also had some limited medical applications, including the treatment of weight loss, narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder. Methamphetamine is no longer available in Canada but can be pur- chased from the underground, with some connections to the biker world. It can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally. Ninety per cent of users who take it for the first time become addicted. Methamphetamine comes in a powder form resembling granulated crystals and in a rock form known as "ice". It can be white to yellow in colour or even red or brown. There are approximately 48 differ- ent recipes for making the drug on the Internet. Those who produce it are not montiored and can create dangerous doses. When taken, methamphetamine increases energy and alertness and decreases appetite. Side effects include: convulsions, dangerously high body temperature, stroke, car- diac arrhythmia, stomach cramps and shaking. An overdose, compli- cated by other factors, can even lead to death. Chronic users of the drug may experience psychotic behaviour including: intense paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations and out - of -control rages resulting in violent episodes. Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse and Office of Natural Drug Control Policy. (US) `Excited Delirium Syndrome' relatively new By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — The coroner's inquest into the death of Gary Spurn brings to light a relatively new term known as "Excited Delirium Syndrome." The jury had to consider whether excited delirium with the use of restraints, led to the death of Gary Spurn, 40, in July 2004. Ontario Deputy Coroner, Dr. James T. Cairns, testified at the Spurn inquest. He stated excited delirium can be caused by psychiatric illness, cocaine/other street drug use and alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms include: aggressive behaviour, impairment, disorientation, thirst, shouting, panic, violence towards others, unexpected physical strength, diminished sense of pain, sweating/fever/heat intolerance and sudden tranquility after frenzied activity. The syndrome can cause heart and respiratory rates to escalate, blood pressure can increase and cardiac arrhythmia can occur. Dr. Cairns stated, "Excited delirium is a medical emer- gency as the individual is in danger of dying suddenly. Once suspected, immediate transfer to hospital is essen- tial." According to Dr. Cairns, the role of restraint is still controversial in forensic medicine and "Certain restraint positions increase the risk of death. This is known as restraint asphyxia." Dr. Cairns testified in Spurn's case, "He was showing some signs of delirium, but not to an extreme degree. The fact that he wasn't pepper sprayed suggests they were able to control him." Dr. Cairns concluded his testimony saying, "As far as I'm concerned he (Gary Spurn) died of a methampheta- mine overdose and police actions played no role in his death." Coroner's jury recommendations: Gary Spurn inquest 1) Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and Ministry of Education consider joint planning and delivery of drug education programs in schools (both primary and sec- ondary) and that this culminates into mandatory curriculum. 2) Through the Ontario Medical Association, Ontario Hospital Association and the Ontario Nursing Association, physicians and nurses should be made aware of the Ontario Regional Poison Control Centre and consultations for poisoned patients who arrive at emergency departments at our hospitals for help and care. 3) Increased funding for the Ontario Regional Poison Control Centre for further research into methamphetamine drugs. Further funding for nurse practitioners or emer- gency room nurses to work and educate elementary, secondary and post secondary education facilities as well as general pub lic seminars. 4) Govern Internet websites pertaining to the production of illicit and illegal drugs. 5) More rehab facilities in Ontario plus an association similar to "Alcoholics Anonymous" with a buddy system for ongoing support. 6. Specific training for emergency workers of the signs to look for in cases of excited delirium and drug overdose including methamphetamine overdose (eg. para- medics, security guards and correctional officers). 7) The public at large be made aware drugs labelled recreational should be renamed poison drugs causing death (eg. using TV programs and other media). 8) When a person is admitted to an emer- gency room with drug-related problems, medical personel (eg. doctors, nurses) should report information to proper drug addiction professional to encourage indi- viduals to seek help. Provide appropriate funding for additional personnel required. (eg. Nurses distribute information to new mothers.) We want to prevent another drug overdose or avoid future use of drugs. 9) We wish to maintain the existing co-operation between the OPP and educational facilities on programs already in place (eg. VIP - drug awareness). 10) Agencies recorded within these recommendations shall report to the coro- ner with progress within one year of sub mission. ONTARIO REGIONAL POISON CONTROL CENTRE 1-800-268-9017 1-416-813-5900 The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8 CANADA www.sickkids.ca/p ois oninformationc entre