Bystanders deprived Canberra man of 'any chance of survival' after overdose
A coroner finds a group of bystanders, including two workers from a drug harm minimisation organisation, acted in a "morally blameworthy" manner after waiting hours to call an ambulance for a Canberra man who fatally overdosed.
A Canberra man, Felipe Alvarez, was left without medical assistance for hours after an overdose in 2021, leading to his death. Two bystanders, including trained peer workers from the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA), failed to respond appropriately, depriving him of "any chance of survival". An inquest into the incident recommended stronger collaboration between CAHMA, health, and emergency services to improve overdose responses.
Coroner Ken Archer identified broader public safety issues with CAHMA's peer-worker model and governance, warning that public monies can indirectly support drug use practices. CAHMA had failed to obtain criminal history checks for the involved workers, despite their extensive records. The coroner also suggested reviewing overdose response training to prioritize saving lives and strengthening collaboration with health agencies, ambulance services, and police.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
