Coroner finds gap in awareness about dangerous synthetic drugs

Friday 24 July 2020

A finding released today by Victorian Coroner Audrey Jamieson has revealed a dangerous lack of awareness about the potentially lethal effects of synthetic cannabinoids.

The finding follows an investigation into the death of Mr P, a 53-year-old Killara man who was found struggling to breathe on an Albury bound V/Line train on 6 October 2019. Despite numerous efforts, Mr P could not be revived and died while being treated by Ambulance Victoria paramedics at Broadmeadows Train Station.  

Coroner Jamieson determined that Mr P’s death was the result of using Cumyl-PeGACLONE, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the context of two underlying heart conditions.

Synthetic cannabinoids are designed to imitate the effects of cannabis in the brain, but are generally more potent. Their use has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and sudden death, particularly in people with pre-existing cardiac conditions. However, the full range of harms and risks associated with synthetic cannabinoid use is not well understood, in part because of a lack of studies. 

To understand the issues associated with Cumyl-PEGACLONE, Coroner Jamieson directed the Coroners Prevention Unit (CPU) to review other relevant Victorian deaths involving the drug. The CPU identified 12 such deaths between 2017 and 2019, including:

• four deaths where Cumyl-PEGACLONE played a causal or contributory role.
• four deaths where the role of Cumyl-PEGACLONE was unable to be ascertained.
• three deaths where the role of Cumyl-PEGACLONE was not explicitly addressed.
• one death where the role of Cumyl-PEGACLONE was still under investigation.

In her finding, Coroner Jamieson noted that Cumyl-PEGACLONE is only one of hundreds of synthetic cannabinoids circulating in illegal drug markets, and that users can never be sure which synthetic cannabinoid they are using — so harm reduction strategies need to be targeted at synthetic cannabinoids generally rather than a specific drug. 

Her Honour stated “the combination of limited information and general ignorance about the potential risks of synthetic illicit drugs presents a unique challenge to health and governance policymakers.” 

Coroner Jamieson recommends that the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services review how education regarding synthetic cannabinoids is disseminated to health services and, if deemed appropriate and necessary, develop a training package or similar resource for clinicians to equip them to have conversations with patients about synthetic cannabinoid risks and harm reduction.

A copy of the finding can be found at:
https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-07/2019%205437%20Mr%20P.pdf

Media Contact:
Claudia Hodgens
Strategic Communications Manager
0407 403 371
mediaenquiries@courts.vic.gov.au