Bystanders deprived Canberra man of 'any chance of survival' after overdose

A Canberra man was denied "any chance of survival" after bystanders, including trained overdose response workers, delayed calling for an ambulance for several hours following a drug overdose. ACT Coroner Ken Archer delivered these findings into the March 2021 death of Felipe Esteban Alvarez, also raising broader public safety concerns about the governance and peer-worker model of the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA).

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The conduct of the group in not calling for medical help immediately upon Mr Alvarez's initial collapse, and providing misleading information to the ACT Ambulance Service, was morally blameworthy.

Alvarez, 48, died at his Taylor home after injecting heroin and methylamphetamine. A group of people, including two off-duty CAHMA employees trained to administer naloxone and respond to overdoses, were present when he collapsed. Despite showing clear signs of an overdose and ceasing to breathe, an ambulance was not called for what the coroner determined was "probably several hours." Instead, those present allowed Alvarez to "sleep it off" before emergency services were eventually contacted.

An autopsy confirmed Alvarez died from toxicity caused by a combination of methamphetamine and morphine, with an underlying heart condition contributing to his death. The two support workers and other individuals present at the unit could not be identified and did not provide evidence during the inquest due to a non-publication order. Alvarez, who had moved to Canberra seeking a fresh start after a significant period in jail for robbery offenses, had a history of drug addiction and was a CAHMA client at the time of his death.

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The group's conduct showed a chilling indifference to the possibility of a loss of a life.

Coroner Archer stated that Alvarez was clearly experiencing a medical emergency and should have received immediate medical assistance. He found the group's actions, which deprived Alvarez of any potential chance of survival, were "morally blameworthy." The coroner suggested that self-interest, including a potential concern about police involvement, likely played a role in the decision to delay calling for an ambulance. The report highlighted a "chilling indifference to the possibility of a loss of a life" demonstrated by the group's conduct.

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any chance of survival