Inquest into the Death of Michael James Dwyer

30y · Male·acute combined heroin and alcohol toxicity; ingestion of alcohol and heroin

Michael James Dwyer, a 30-year-old man, died on 17 June 1999 at Royal Perth Hospital from acute combined heroin and alcohol toxicity. On 11 June, after returning from Melbourne, he consumed approximately one litre of gin and injected heroin while in the company of his friend Stephen. Stephen found Michael unconscious around 1am but did not call an ambulance, believing Michael was simply drunk and would sleep it off. Stephen waited over ten hours before contacting Michael's sister at 10:37am. When the sister arrived, she found Michael with laboured breathing, cyanosis, and vomit on his face, and immediately called an ambulance. Michael died five days later in ICU. The coroner found the death accidental and noted that while prompt medical attention might have provided opportunity for reversal agents like narcan, the evidence did not establish that delayed help was the actual cause of death. The coroner commented on the preventability of heroin overdose deaths and public health concerns regarding fear of police involvement deterring bystanders from calling for help.