Coroner's Finding: de-identified UV

Contributing factors

• Illicit drug use involving morphine, diazepam, methadone, and methylamphetamine
• Complex psychiatric history including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder
• Long-standing substance use disorder
• Recent release from prison
• Separation from children and family violence protective order
• Financial stress and concerns
• Sleep difficulties and mental health instability
• Concomitant use of prescribed central nervous system depressants with illicit drugs

Coroner's recommendations

1. Police recruits and members attending drug-related deaths should receive education on the importance of seizing and categorising medications, drugs or substances located at the scene
2. Police officers attending drug-related deaths should receive education on the importance of seizing and interrogating electronic devices located at the scene
3. Police officers attending drug-related deaths should receive education on the importance of obtaining detailed statements or affidavits from witnesses at the earliest possible opportunity
4. Tasmania Police manual requirements for investigation into drug-related deaths should be reinforced with all members in all districts (Southern, Northern, and Western) and appropriate support provided to ensure investigations are completed to a high standard