The death of an inmate in the medium-security unit at Collins Bay Institution was due to a drug overdose. The inmate, identified as Shane Elliott Gammie, 35-year old, died on Saturday.
Gammie was serving a sentence of 5 years, 9 months and 15 days on convictions from breaking and entering, firearm use and possession of drugs for trafficking. The family were informed of his death.
Dangers of overdose
Based on a news release, the Correctional Service Canada did not clearly state how Gammie died, citing the Privacy Act but the police and coroner’s office were notified.
The officers on the scene gave information that he died from a suspected drug overdose. This latest death comes after an increasing incident in overdose deaths from illicit drugs laced with fentanyl entering Collins Bay Institution.
As for the incident involving Gammie, 2 officers discovered him unresponsive in his cell during a routine walk through the unit. Several officers responded to the scene and delivered first aid CPR. It was a traumatic scene because he was vomiting while performing CPR. The officers tried naloxone, CPR and a defibrillator. They continued with the task until the paramedics arrived on the scene.
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