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Methadone death 'shocked mother' Clinic 'warned about methadone'
(about 10 hours later)
A mother has told an inquiry of her shock at her son's death in a Borders clinic after receiving a fatal dose of heroin substitute methadone. Staff at a rehab clinic were warned that a patient may have had too much methadone hours before he died from an overdose, an inquiry has heard.
Kieran Nichol, 20, was being treated for depression and valium addiction at Castle Craig Hospital when he died. Kieran Nichol, 20, from Hawick, died from a methadone overdose in the Castle Craig clinic, near Peebles, in the Scottish Borders, in December 2005.
His mother, Jacqueline Nichol, told the hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court her son did not have a heroin problem. His parents believe staff gave him methadone despite claiming that Mr Nichol was not addicted to heroin.
She said his death had a "psychological effect" on the whole family. The fatal accident inquiry continues. But an ex-patient said Mr Nichol had told him he was a heroin addict.
Mrs Nichol, 48, told the hearing her son had been admitted to the £400-a-day hospital in Blyth Bridge in a bid to cure his depression and addiction to valium. On Thursday, the inquiry heard from fellow patient Ross Dixon who claimed he had raised concerns to a nurse about Mr Nichol's methadone dosage on 10 December, the day before he died.
He spent six weeks "detoxing" before discharging himself in October 2005. He said: "We had some kind of exchange when I was in and something was said along the lines of Kieran is in a bit of a state, is it possible that he has been given too much methadone.
To be told less than 48 hours later he's died in their care, yes we were shocked Jacqueline NicholTo be told less than 48 hours later he's died in their care, yes we were shocked Jacqueline Nichol
Two months later, he lapsed back into depression and drug use and his mother rang the hospital to ask for her son to be re-admitted. "The nurse said yes."
He was taken in the following day, on 9 December. But, Mr Dixon claimed, despite warnings, staff did not appear concerned.
"I was very concerned about his state of mind and his mental health," said Mrs Nichol. "I was under the impression that the facility was aware of his condition," he said.
"He was upset and crying and saying he needed help." "Everyone saw what he was like at the AA meeting and I was under the impression it was under control."
Two days later, police arrived at her home in Weensland Road, Hawick, to say her son had died. Later that evening Mr Nichol passed out during a showing of a film in the communal room of the clinic and died soon after.
Mr Dixon, a former heroin addict, said he was "shocked and upset" that a person could die in a rehabilitation facility from an overdose.
'Using heroin'
He said: "At every meal he became increasingly intoxicated after being given his medication.
"I found it strange that he was being given methadone when he didn't need any.
"He didn't need any at all, quite the opposite."
Mr Dixon claimed that Mr Nichol had confessed to him that he had had a £280-a-week heroin habit in the weeks leading up to his admission to Castle Craig.
He said: "He said he was in for using heroin."
Valium addiction
The inquiry also heard from Mr Nichol's mother, Jacqueline, who told the hearing that her son did not have a heroin problem.
Mrs Nichol said her son had been admitted to the £400-a-day hospital in Blyth Bridge in a bid to cure his depression and addiction to valium.
He spent six weeks "detoxing" before discharging himself in October 2005, the hearing heard.
Two months later, he lapsed back into depression and drug use, and was readmitted two days before he died.
"To be told less than 48 hours later he's died in their care, yes we were shocked," said Mrs Nichol."To be told less than 48 hours later he's died in their care, yes we were shocked," said Mrs Nichol.
"It had a psychological effect on all the family." The fatal accident inquiry at Edinburgh Sheriff Court continues.
Sold valium
Staff at the hospital later discovered a letter written by Mr Nichol which claimed he had been using drugs including cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, crack, LSD and heroin since the age of 13.
Mr Nichol also wrote that he had been expelled from school aged 15 for selling cannabis and had later sold valium for his uncle.
Mrs Nichol said she was aware her son had been using drugs from an early age but denied knowing he had been expelled for selling cannabis.
She added he had confessed to smoking heroin twice, but was not aware of his claim to doctors that he had smoked it around seven times.