Accidental methadone overdose killed addict, rules coroner

An inquest into a man found dead in his flat has concluded he died accidentally after taking an overdose of methadone in an attempt to get high.

Simon Patrick Rowe, 52, died between September 7-9, 2011, as a result of an accidental methadone overdose rather than suicide, Coroner Tim Scott ruled.

Mr Scott said Mr Rowe had a number of medical conditions and had been advised, on medical grounds, not to drink.

He was flagged in the police system as suicidal and had made a suicide attempt a long time ago, while living in another town.

However, his family said he had given no indication he was suicidal and, as the owner of two dogs, which he had had for many years, they were sure he would have made arrangements for them if he was going to harm himself.

Mr Rowe was a drug addict and was on a methadone programme. He was able to get the drug from a pharmacy to assist in his addiction management.

On September 7, when Mr Rowe's friend took him to the doctor, he was in a good mood. That was the last time she saw him alive.

Two days later, she went to visit him and got no response to her knock.

She managed to get into his flat through a door with a broken glass panel and found Mr Rowe lying on the floor. He did not respond to her calls and was cold to the touch.

The police report for the coroner noted there were various quantities of medication in the flat and no sign of disturbance, other than two chairs tipped over next to Mr Rowe's body. It appeared he had knocked them as he collapsed.

A toxicology report found methadone was detected at 4.5mg per litre of blood. It noted that post-mortem levels of 0.1mg of methadone had been associated with methadone-related death.

Also found in his system were trace elements of alcohol, the anti-convulsant drug Clonazepam at therapeutic levels, and the unconfirmed presence of Promethatine, an antihistamine with sedative effects.

The report concluded that he died of a methadone overdose.

Mr Rowe's sister said he had been known to stockpile methadone and would sometimes take prescriptions in larger doses than were recommended.

Mr Scott said that, while it was tempting to view Mr Rowe's death as a suicide by overdose there were significant things that supported the view it was not.

They included that his family did not think it was a suicide, his last attempt was a long time ago, he had not talked about it or left a note, and it appeared he had knocked two chairs over when he collapsed. Mr Scott said common sense suggested that after taking an overdose he would sit down or lie down if he was trying to take his own life.