Coroner's Report into Meth Death

Dale Kirk

Managing Director Methcon Group Ltd

17th May 2012

PRESS RELEASE:

Coroner's Report into Meth Death

The Wellington coroner's report into the 2010 death of Ms Lisa McMillan highlights the dangers associated with the class A drug Methamphetamine (P)

Ms McMillan was found to have died as a result of a spontaneous intracerebal hemorrhage while at home alone in January 2010. Methamphetamine was found to be present in her bloodstream and has been identified as the cause of the hemorrhage.

Managing Director of drug education consultancy Methcon Group and former Police drug squad detective, Dale Kirk, says that this case demonstrates the danger Methamphetamine poses together with the widespread use of the drug across all sectors of society.

“Methamphetamine is a scourge which has inseminated itself across the full spectrum of New Zealand society. It doesn’t discriminate by way of gender, race, age or socio economic status. It resides at the top end of town just as much as on Struggle Street”

“As drug educators we constantly encounter people who are amazed at the way Methamphetamine and other drug use is common place amongst the so-called educated middle class.”

“The perception remains amongst most members of the public that Methamphetamine use is confined to the unemployed and uneducated”

“However in this case the victim was a successful professional women who was perceived by those who knew her as an achiever. It must be devastating for her family and friends to learn of her meth usage after the fact when it was too late to help her”

“The stimulant nature of Methamphetamine means that it is often used by busy professional people as a ‘pick me up’ or ‘energy boost’ to help cope with modern day work pressures and deadlines. However, this short term ‘fix’ more often than not leads to a downward spiral, and in this case tragic consequences due to the highly addictive nature of the drug.”

“Methamphetamine causes the heart rate to increase to dangerous and unprecedented levels which places strain on not only the heart, but other vital organs including the brain”

“Whilst in this case there is no evidence to suggest that the victim had developed a long term addiction to the drug, it clearly demonstrates the Russian Roulette nature of using it which unfortunately resulted in a premature and tragic death”

“As a society we need to up skill ourselves regarding the dangers from drug use. The head in the sand mentality that continues to exist means that we will continue to see the destruction that dug use brings”

“Methcon Group are continuously asked by parents who attend our seminars why the Government isn’t putting resources into educating kids about drugs. Its hard to give a satisfactory answer.”

“ The recent media attention highlighting the link between the ‘ghost chips’ advertisement and the apparent reduction in teenage drink driving, only serves to highlight the frustration that we, as a company feel about the lack of resources being put towards educating the public about the real effects and dangers of drugs like Methamphetamine”

“Its not rocket science!”

“If Lisa McMillan; an intelligent person, had been made aware of the inherent dangers of Methamphetamine use, would her family be suffering the pain that they now do?”

www.methcon.co.nz

ENDS

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