SIU Investigating Man's Naloxone-Related Death in Mississauga

by Kelly Roche on April 6, 2018

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The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a 45-year-old man died in Mississauga overnight after Peel police administered an anti-overdose drug.

Officers responded to a medical assistance call at a building near Derry Rd. E. and Rexwood Dr. at 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

Upon arrival, they found a man and began CPR.

Naloxone was administered.

Paramedics arrived and the man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after midnight.

This is the second naloxone-related death involving Peel police in one month.

Officers also administered the drug on March 12 at a Brampton home near McLaughlin Rd. and Queen St. W. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the SIU invoked its mandate.

It’s like deja vu all over again! We understand that there is and should be oversight. That isn’t the issue. The issue is people that are suffering from overdoses aren’t in police custody or under arrest & officers are simply trying to save their lives.@Kathleen_Wynne @SIUOntario pic.twitter.com/vDFsBnvOQ4
— Peel Regional PA (@peel_pa) April 6, 2018

The issue over investigating naloxone-related deaths is a contentious one, with Ontario’s police chiefs battling the province’s SIU in the midst of the opioid crisis.

Out in B.C., the administration of naloxone isn’t investigated by the SIU.

But in Ontario, the SIU says police must advise the agency when a death occurs during police interaction if naloxone was attempted or administered.

Peel’s new police association president, Adrian Woolley, didn’t mince words in a tweet directed at the SIU’s director Tony Loparco and top government officials, including Premier Kathleen Wynne and Attorney General Yasir Naqvi.

It’s like deja vu all over again! 2nd Opioid investigation for Peel in less than 30 days. @SIUOntario&Tony Laparco still want to investigate every overdose death involving frontline officers & Naloxone. @Kathleen_Wynne @Yasir_Naqvi You 2 throwing away. #OpioidCrisis pic.twitter.com/5emZSj8Mzq
— Adrian Woolley (@PRPA_Prez) April 6, 2018

The SIU is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.

Anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident can upload footage through the SIU website.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.