Montreal teen’s overdose death was accidental, schools need to step up prevention programs: Coroner

The death of a Montreal teenager who overdosed on a synthetic opioid was an accident, concludes a report by Coroner Stéphanie Gamache.

Mathis Boivin, 15, died at home on Dec. 22, 2023.

The teen’s father, Christian Boivin, found the boy’s body in the early morning when he realized his son’s alarm had been going off for half an hour.

• READ MORE: What is isotonitazene? A drug more powerful than fentanyl is circulating in Montreal

According to the report, Boivin called 911 and started performing CPR.

“First responders administered naloxone, an antidote used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” the report states.

The boy was rushed to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, where his death was confirmed.

An autopsy found that Boivin did not have alcohol in his bloodstream.

However, it did locate the presence of naloxone, administered by the first responders, as well as THC metabolites and a “new psychoactive substance, n-desethyl isotonitazene,” which is five times stronger than fentanyl.

“No other substances were found with the examination methods used,” the coroner’s report notes.

“Mathis' parents knew he consumed cannabis,” Gamache writes. “They were also aware of his interest and curiosity when it came to hard drugs, but during their discussions on the subject, Mathis often reassured them that despite his past experimentations, he wasn’t using anymore.”

• READ MORE: Montreal boy, 15, killed by drug more potent than fentanyl

An investigation by Montreal police (SPVM) following Mathis' death found that he had missed several afternoon classes on Dec. 21 to “procure between five and seven pills that he believed were oxycodone” -- another type of opioid often used as a painkiller.

“Oxycodone was not detected in the samples taken,” Gamache’s report states.

Following the death, Boivin’s parents say they found four other pills in his wallet, which they gave to officers.

“[Health Canada] did an analysis and confirmed that they were n-desethyl isotonitazene, a synthetic opioid,” Gamache writes.

Though the autopsy did not confirm the “anatomical cause of death,” it conceded that the drug n-desethyl isotonitazene played a decisive role.

“The pathologist’s conclusions indicate that Mathis was suffering from bilateral bronchopneumonia at the time of his death,” Gamache states, noting this made him vulnerable to complications.

“Synthetic opioids are powerful central nervous system depressants. The result is profound respiratory decline, which leads to a drop in blood oxygen and a rise in carbon dioxide, resulting in neurological damage that can take several hours to cause death.”

• READ MORE: A year after his son overdosed, a Montreal father feels more prevention work is needed

Boivin’s father, Christian, tells CTV News he wishes his son had come to him that night.

“If I [had taught] him what is the symptom of overdose, instead of going to bed, maybe he [would have] just come to me and said, ‘Hey dad, I feel this and I feel I’m doing an overdose. Please help,’” he said.

The opioid crisis, he says, is one that must be addressed head-on before more children are dead.

“We have to say to parents, don’t be afraid to talk about that because kids will face this earlier,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to have dialogue with them and be sure they understand the risk.”

Boivin says he’ll always remember his son as a happy kid who had a lot of friends.

He had 15 great years," he said. “He had a great life and I have a lot of nice souvenirs [memories], good souvenirs [memories]with him, so we keep this in mind.”

The coroner’s report recognizes that overdoses are on the rise across North America, and the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the “quality of substances” available on the street.

“Due to the numerous clandestine distribution options, it is difficult for a person to know what they are really buying,” the report notes, acknowledging that, according to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), 94 per cent of people who die from overdose do so by accident.

The report also mentions various public health programs in place to educate Quebecers -- and particularly teenagers -- on the dangers of drugs and the risk of overdose.

It questions why some schools are not working closer with Montreal’s public health department on this fight.

“Are they not worried about this problem?” Gamache asks. “We must remember that each school is a place of learning, socialization, personal and community development where we can promote health and well-being for all our young people.”

• READ MORE: Quebec teachers to train students on how to intervene during an opioid overdose

She emphasizes that public health departments should continue their efforts in schools to educate students and potentially save lives, “and all schools must recognize the problem and its complexities if they are to play a full part in prevention efforts.”

Gamache concludes her report by advising schools and educational centres across the province to create strong links with their regional public health departments, if they haven’t already, to avoid additional accidental and preventable deaths.

Four people were arrested following Boivin’s death for allegedly selling opioids and other drugs through social media.