Toronto Drug squad cop dies of fentanyl overdose

[tay]

Toronto police issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying a constable with the drug squad died of a fentanyl overdose in April.

Const. Michael Thompson was found in his home in medical distress on April 10, police say. He was rushed to hospital, where he died three days later.

Police said the quantity of fentanyl in his system was too large to have been caused by casual contact with the drug.

"It is always a difficult time when we lose a member of the Toronto Police Service, regardless of the circumstances," the statement reads. "It's even more difficult when the circumstances of a specific loss leave us with more questions than answers."

Police have started an investigation into Thompson's death in an effort to answer some of those questions. The statement said the constable was a good police officer who was respected by his colleagues, and that he had regular access to street-level drugs.

"Our condolences remain with his colleagues, including the dedicated and professional members of the drug squad, Michael's family and friends who have all been devastated by his passing."

Police also said there are several resources in place within the service to help its members deal with personal crises, health problems and other issues, like PTSD.

Drug squad officer dies of fentanyl overdose, leaving police with 'more questions than answers' - Toronto - CBC News

 

[JLM]

Toronto police issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying a constable with the drug squad died of a fentanyl overdose in April.

Const. Michael Thompson was found in his home in medical distress on April 10, police say. He was rushed to hospital, where he died three days later.



Drug squad officer dies of fentanyl overdose, leaving police with 'more questions than answers' - Toronto - CBC News

You'd think he'd know better!

 

[Hoof Hearted]

Could have been suicide. Probably so with a 'large' amount found in his system.

 

[TenPenny]

A very odd thing.

 

[White_Unifier]

You'd think he'd know better!

If I had to guess, I'd say either he'd developed an addiction to it or intended to commit suicide. I doubt very much he just didn't know better. As for the addiction, it could have started with prescription painkillers or other factors, alone or in combination. Police officers (like paramedics, nurses, emergency-room physicians, fire-fighters, sex workers, victims of childhood abuse, and soldiers) suffer a higher rate of PTSD than the average in the population, and that can lead to a more addictive personality and a desire to look for something to numb the pain. PTSD alone will not lead to addiction, but it certainly fills the room with the gas waiting for the spark.

 

[JLM]

If I had to guess, I'd say either he'd developed an addiction to it or intended to commit suicide. I doubt very much he just didn't know better. As for the addiction, it could have started with prescription painkillers or other factors, alone or in combination. Police officers (like paramedics, nurses, emergency-room physicians, fire-fighters, sex workers, victims of childhood abuse, and soldiers) suffer a higher rate of PTSD than the average in the population, and that can lead to a more addictive personality and a desire to look for something to numb the pain. PTSD alone will not lead to addiction, but it certainly fills the room with the gas waiting for the spark.

A lot of truth in what you say!

Could have been suicide. Probably so with a 'large' amount found in his system.

Sad thing suicide....................sometimes a permanent solution to a temporary problem!

 

[MHz]

There should be signs of long term use or he could have been killed. Since it is inhaled there has to be a limit to how much you can take without becoming so incapacitated you can't take any more and still be below the level this guy was at.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

I wouldn't want to be a Police Officer...dealing with scum and liars all day long in many cases. It would be hard not to let that take a chunk out of your soul...and even affect your interactions with family and friends...etc.

 

[MHz]

'dealing with scum and liars all day long in many cases'
You are referencing Lawyers and Judges I assume as him having a reason to be disenchanted with his profession? Ever notice despite the billions spent on the war on drugs that it is only the low level users that get tapped??
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/drug_abuse_dependence.html
How Drug Use Disorders Affect Lawyers

It is clear that drug use disorders can have a devastating effect on a lawyer’s career and personal life. Lawyers impacted by drug use disorder may also create problems for their family, employer and profession.
Lawyer assistance programs (LAPs) are here to support lawyers, judges, students and other legal professionals who suffer from drug use disorders. Contact your state or local LAP..

 

[Danbones]

No one is immune

The problem has to be fixed at an earlier stage - take the profits out of it and trade in it will stop.

 

[White_Unifier]

I wouldn't want to be a Police Officer...dealing with scum and liars all day long in many cases. It would be hard not to let that take a chunk out of your soul...and even affect your interactions with family and friends...etc.

Not just with scum and liars, but with victims too. In fact, I'd imagine dealing with victims would be even more traumatizing. Imaging seeing abused children, child and adult addicts coming from broken homes, both male and female victims of domestic abuse, financially struggling victims of theft and scams, victims of senseless beatings, the families of murder victims (who are victims in their own right every day, and there is so little you can do other than to just empathize with them.

 

[MHz]

In this case the reward is to be 'accepted' by the elite as they have all gone through the same ritual. 'Loyalty' before 'morality' and it seems like there is a long line of people wanting to join at any price. After all, as shown here, it isn't such a big deal really.

Not just with scum and liars, but with victims too. In fact, I'd imagine dealing with victims would be even more traumatizing. Imaging seeing abused children, child and adult addicts coming from broken homes, both male and female victims of domestic abuse, financially struggling victims of theft and scams, victims of senseless beatings, the families of murder victims (who are victims in their own right every day, and there is so little you can do other than to just empathize with them.

That is a fraction of the damage caused by a trade that benefits only the rich. Untouchable as far as arrest or retribution goes. That goes for all crimes rather than just drug use. You failed to mention ending the trade by taking it apart from the top down. All the abuse and neglect is the reason for how many jobs for the rest of society who be probably be homeless if it were not for the problem the addicts suffer from. Since they aren't supplying themselves with the drugs how would you suggest they tackle the problem from their end??

 

[Hoof Hearted]

Also possible this Cop was about to be charged with something himself and took his own life...it's happened before.

 

[MHz]

. . . and maybe the batch he got was better than the last one and nobody was around with a bee sting kit. Who called the medics as it wouldn't have been him?

 

[Hoid]

this happens a lot.

the Courtenay rcmp detachment had the guy who went around to the high schools taking to the kids about drugs end up ODing.

pretty devastating for a small community

 

[JLM]

this happens a lot.

the Courtenay rcmp detachment had the guy who went around to the high schools taking to the kids about drugs end up ODing.

pretty devastating for a small community

Are you a Courtenay boy? We lived there from '76 till '84!

 

[Hoid]

No but I have spent some time there.