More drug prevention needed in schools after Montreal teen’s overdose death: coroner

A Quebec coroner says the death of Montreal teen Mathis Boivin should be “sounding the alarm” on preventing opioid use among youth.

Coroner Stéphanie Gamache found that the 15-year-old’s death on Dec. 22, 2023 was accidental. 

An autopsy found THC metabolites in his bloodstream and a new psychoactive substance, N-desethyl-isotonitazene — which is said to be five times stronger than fentanyl.

“He wanted to try oxycodone, it is a painkiller but not as strong as isotonitazene,” said Mathis’ father, Christian Boivin. “With the toxicity crisis of drugs, this is the main problem: people do fake pills.”

Boivin found his son on the morning of Dec. 22, after he went to bed and never woke up.

“It’s hard for me to speak about Mathis, but I think the message is more important than my pain at that time,” he said. “Because other parents need to know what to say, need to open the dialogue with their children.”

The coroner said Mathis’ death might have been avoided if he recognized the signs of an overdose.

“You have to know the symptoms of an overdose,” Boivin said, adding that if his son might have known he was experiencing an overdose, he may have reached out to his parents, instead of going to bed.

The coroner also found that approaches to tackling drugs in schools are inconsistent – that some schools have links with public health authorities, while others don’t.

Boivin says he believes schools are in charge of the awareness programs.

“Maybe they said we don’t have any drug problems at school,” he said. “But drugs are everywhere. […] I hope it will change things in all schools in Quebec.”

Quebec’s Social Services Minister, Lionel Carmant, tells CityNews he reiterates his condolences to Mathis’ loved ones.

“We welcome the recommendations of the coroner’s report and are continuing our prevention and awareness efforts in schools with regional public health and community organizations. More than ever, I encourage parents to talk openly with their children about the risks associated with substance use.”

The Montreal Regional Public Health Department (DRSP) says they will review the coroner’s report findings but did not want to comment further.

In Dec., a 24-year-old and a minor pleaded guilty to charges of possession and trafficking of narcotics – in relation to Mathis’ death. The adult was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison. The minor was sentenced to six months in custody and 12 months of probation, with 100 hours of community service.

Boivin says that isn’t enough to deter them and others.

Meanwhile, he says he’ll continue raising awareness about the opioid crisis.

“I will continue to act where I can, there’s a lot to do. It’s not finished,” he said.

“It’s so important to have our kids learning and avoid other deaths like Mathis.”