Latest news with #drugtoxicity
CBC
6 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Sask. auditor's latest report urges action on opioid crisis, transitional housing
The latest report from Saskatchewan's provincial auditor outlines concerns around the growing opioid crisis, transitional housing for victims in interpersonal violence and oversight of school divisions. Tara Clemett spoke about her findings at a news conference Tuesday. Clemett pointed to the rise in drug toxicity deaths across the province due to the prevalent use of substances like fentanyl. She said people trying to get into outpatient treatment programs including Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) and Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) — directly operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) — are having to wait. According to a release from the Clemett's office, patients seeking treatment waited an average of four days in Kamsack, nearly five days in Saskatoon and just over a day in Regina. Good practice recommends clients wait no more than three days, the release added. "When we did our own testing, we did find Saskatoon and Kamsack are not necessarily hitting good practice in terms of someone coming to seek help from a prescriber and seeing them within three days," Clemett said. "The authority needs that information so it can make decisions and know where there might be gaps." Clemett also found Lloydminster and Estevan, which don't have OAT programs, saw local increases in drug toxicity deaths from 2022 to 2024 over previous periods. Clemett recommended that the SHA implement a centralized IT system and centralized standards to work toward more accessible treatment services. "Ultimately, you would hope that would have a positive impact when it does come to them being able to live," she said. School division safeguards Clemett also found financial discrepancies within the education system. She said 19 of 27 school divisions should have more financial safeguards in place, especially when it comes to journal entries and electronic fund transfers. Many schools across the province allow one person to oversee all financial records, increasing the chance for error or hidden information, Clemett said. "We would always want those to be independently reviewed and approved," she said. The report also pointed out that 14 independent religious schools in Saskatchewan do not require certified teachers. She questioned if students enrolled in these independent schools are getting an effective education. "From our perspective, in the event that the ministry is going to allow these schools to have teachers that aren't necessarily certified, they should be doing a better job of monitoring overall student achievement," Clemett said. Transitional housing Transitional housing for interpersonal violence victims was also top of mind for Clemett on Tuesday. Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the country, her report says. While there is transitional housing across the province, the funding varies from one house to the next. Clemett said the government has no substantial reasoning as to why one transition house may receive more funding than another. She referred to Regina and Swift Current, which each have funded transition houses with equal bed numbers, but funding differed by more than $200,000 in 2024–25. "There is a limited pot of money here in terms of what can go around, to some degree, to transition space," Clemett said. "So you just want to make sure that you're probably providing the money to the right facilities that really need the help, so that they can serve the people that are looking for safe shelter." The province's Opposition NDP also made its concerns about the auditor's findings known Tuesday. Meara Conway, NDP deputy House Leader and critic for rural and remote health, and ethics and democracy, reiterated the issues around interpersonal violence and lack of access to services in the midst of the province's opioid crisis. She said there is a lack of access to methadone, which increases the likelihood of opioid relapse and deters people from treatment. There is also a lack of information for the vulnerable when it comes to accessing treatment and shelters, Conway said. "We'll continue to see the drug crisis get worse because we have a government that has continuously politicized this crisis instead of roll up their sleeves, meet people where they're at and, you know, provide a range of services where and when people need them."
BreakingNews.ie
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan died after taking cocktail of drugs, coroner rules
The death of Hollyoaks and reality TV star Paul Danan from a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and heroin was misadventure, a coroner has concluded. Danan (46), played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on the Channel 4 soap and was later known for his reality TV appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island. Advertisement An inquest into his death was held at Avon Coroner's Court near Bristol in England, before Assistant Coroner Debbie Rookes on Wednesday morning. The hearing was told how Danan was found unresponsive and slumped on his sofa in front of the television at his home in Bristol on January 15th this year. Emergency services attended the scene and confirmed that he had died. His body was identified there by his partner, Melissa Crooks. A postmortem examination concluded that his death was due to combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine and zopiclone, contributed to by benzodiazepine use. Advertisement Ms Rookes reached a conclusion that Danan had died by misadventure after hearing written statements from emergency services, doctors, and his mother Beverley Danan. The statement from Mrs Danan said: 'Paul helped so many people from all walks of life but just couldn't help himself in the same way. 'His smiling face and love of life will always be remembered.' Ms Rookes concluded that Danan had died from the combined effects of prescribed and illicit drugs. Advertisement She told the hearing there was no evidence that Danan, who suffered an accidental overdose in May 2024, had intended to take his own life. A previous hearing was told that no note was left by Danan. The coroner said: 'Paul Danan was clearly much loved and is very much missed. 'Mr Danan had a long history of drug misuse and struggles with his mental health. His death was caused by a combination of drugs, both prescription and illicit. Advertisement 'Paul had struggled with his mental health for many years. He had taken an overdose in May 2024 but he was adamant that this was accidental and he didn't have any intention to end his life. 'Although he had occasional suicidal thoughts, he didn't have any active plans. I don't have any evidence before me that Paul intended to take his own life at this time. 'Therefore, the conclusion is misadventure.' Paul Danan died in his Bristol home (Ian West/PA) The coroner said that none of the drugs Danan had taken were found in high levels but their combined effect resulted in 'fatal respiratory depression'. Advertisement During the hearing, Ms Rookes described how Ms Crooks raised the alarm when she could not get hold of Danan and a ladder was used to gain entry to his first floor flat. He was discovered slumped on the sofa, with the television on in front of him, and emergency services were called. 'Paul's partner, Ms Crooks, said she had not heard from Paul since the early hours of January 14,' Ms Rookes said. 'She said her and Paul had been out together and had a couple of drinks. Since leaving Paul at his home address, she had not been able to get in contact with him.' Ms Rookes said police did not find any suspicious circumstances. Danan was pronounced deceased at 5.20pm on January 15th. Danan had been due to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates' Court on January 16th after being charged with being in possession of cocaine and cannabis, according to court documents. He was also accused of driving whilst under the influence of drugs on October 2nd last year, in Warrington, Cheshire. The actor had been open about his struggles with addiction, with entering rehab and trying to recover. Danan appeared on ITV's Celebrity Love Island as a contestant in 2005 and 2006 but did not win either series. He also featured in the 2006 ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan in which he, former Westlife bodyguard and Celebrity Love Island winner Fran Cosgrave, and Calum Best travelled across the US. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Calum Best (@mrcalumbest) Best, the son of footballer George Best, took part in Celebrity Love Island and a reality travel programme with Danan, and described him as one of the 'funniest, kindest, and most authentic people I've known'. In an Instagram post after Danan's death, he said: 'Life wasn't always easy for him, but he faced it with such heart and courage, and that inspired so many of us. 'We shared many laughs, chats, and unforgettable moments. My heart goes out to his loved ones right now. Rest easy, brother.' EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney also paid tribute, saying on Instagram story that Danan 'had a heart of gold'. In 2017, Danan took part in Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother, when he was evicted early, and said at the time he hoped the series would give him a 'second chance' at his career. He regularly called for his return to Hollyoaks and later began the podcast The Morning After With Paul Danan, which lasted from 2019 until 2023. In 2020, he started a drama workshop, Morning After Drama, which grew from online sessions during the pandemic to workshops in London, Oxford and the South West. His other appearances included on E4's Celebrity Coach Trip and Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show. Danan discussed his substance abuse and recovery on ITV's The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he said began when he was a teenager. He said he had to 'work hard at it every day to keep in recovery'. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to drugs and public order offences, and was fined and referred to a drugs agency for support by Stevenage Magistrates' Court. A statement from Independent Creative Management said: 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old. 'Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many. 'His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Syracuse father charged after one-year-old dies of drug overdose
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — More than six months after one-year-old Kyra Brown died, her father, Kenneth Brown, was arrested by Syracuse Police and charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide. On October 31, 2024, Syracuse Police were called to the 400 block of Burdick Avenue for an ambulance call. Kyra Brown's mother reported that Kyra was unconscious, not breathing, and may have ingested drugs, police said. AMR paramedics gave lifesaving aid to Kyra and transported her to the hospital, where staff continued to try to save the one-year-old's life. Kyra Brown passed away shortly after arriving. After a months-long investigation in which Syracuse Police detectives interviewed multiple people, a search warrant was carried out at the house, and evidence was recovered and analyzed. The investigation determined that Kyra's father, Kenneth Brown, had left a narcotic substance in an area accessible to her, police said. Kyra Brown's cause of death was determined to be a result of combined drug toxicity of fentanyl and cocaine. On May 22, 2025, 40-year-old Kenneth Brown of Syracuse was arrested. Brown is charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He is being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
N.B. coroner's inquest rescheduled
A coroner's inquest into the deaths of Wesley Geneau and Jarrett Lunn, inmates in a New Brunswick correctional centre, has been rescheduled for September. The inquest was originally scheduled for June 9-13 but will now take place Sept. 15-19, a news release from the provincial government says. Jury selection will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 15 at the Edmundston courthouse in Carrefour Assomption. The inquest will begin immediately after the selection. An inquest is a formal court proceeding that allows the public presentation of evidence relating to death. Geneau and Lunn were inmates at the Madawaska Correctional Centre who both died at the Edmundston Regional Hospital on Feb. 6 and April 9, 2022, due to combined drug toxicity, according to the release. Deputy chief coroner Emily Caissy and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding the deaths. The jury will have the chance to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths with similar circumstances. The New Brunswick Coroner Service is an independent fact-finding agency that may not make any finding of legal responsibility. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
