Cory Monteith Overdose: Didn’t Need to Happen Says Expert
“Glee” actor Cory Monteith died of mixed drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol. He was 31.
“Toxicology results did not indicate any presence of the drug fentanyl,” the coroner’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
Fentanyl is an opioid narcotic with similar behavior as morphine and, according to a reports in Canada, experts speculated there may have been a link between it and an uptick in heroin overdoses reported in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
“Our frontline officers have spoke with many individuals who have reported being concerned about the potency of heroin that is currently being bought, sold and used,” Constable Ian MacDonald told CBC News this morning. “A possible explanation for the increased potency and the overdose may be the presence of fentanyl in the drugs.
“Hotel staffers found Mr. Monteith dead in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in downtown Vancouver on Saturday after he had missed his 12 p.m. checkout time.
Monteith’s remains were cremated at his mother’s request. TMZ reports that his distraught father (the couple is divorced) was unable to see his son before the cremation. “I always loved both my sons and am going to miss Cory very very much. I’m saddened at the fact that I couldn’t have been there to see my son before he was cremated.”
Monteith had talked openly to the press about his rehab stays and battles with substance abuse in the months leading up to his death. E! News reported that he seemed committed to remaining sober, but it was not something he was able to stay with.
Access_Hollywood tonight featured Billy Bush interviewing the CEO and founder of Cliffside Malibu (www.cliffsidemalibu.com) Richard Taite. What differentiates Mr. Taite from the usual talking heads is that he has first-hand knowledge of what heroin addiction is like.
Now sober, Mr. Taite, the CEO of one of the world’s most successful addiction treatmentfacilities (financially and in treatment success rate), revealed a humility and insight rarely seen on television. His take on the failings of the insurance companies and their marginalizing of coverage and manipulation of treating addicts comes from his navigating the various gate keepers, handlers and familial blocks of his patients.
Cory Monteith acted like he had his drug addiction under control — but sadly, that wasn’t the case. So, is there anything that could have been done to save the 31-year-old actor’s life?
