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Cowichan mother wants answers to son’s apparent overdose death

Mom says Thomas Jimmy died after smoking cannabis, unaware it was laced with fentanyl
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Donna Jack holds a picture of her son Thomas Jimmy, who died of a drug overdose in May. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Donna Jack wants justice after the death by drug overdose of her son in Duncan on May 27.

Jack said her son, Thomas Jimmy, was smoking what she was told was cannabis that was laced with a lethal amount of fentanyl when he died instantly.

She claimed Jimmy would sometimes smoke cannabis, but took no other drugs other than a few coolers from time to time, and likely wasn’t aware he was smoking fentanyl with his cannabis.

Jack said the RCMP have told her that they decided against pressing charges against the person alleged to have supplied the fentanyl-based cannabis to Jimmy.

She said the woman responsible sold Jimmy $5 worth of the laced cannabis, but smoked some of it with him, so the police told her that it wasn’t a criminal offence as a result.

“I’m heartbroken about the loss of my son,” Jack said.

“He was friendly and outgoing and there 192 people at his funeral, so that gives you an idea of just how popular he was in the community. This person [who supplied the drugs] should be charged and prosecuted for taking the life of my son Thomas.”

Island District RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Chris Manseau couldn’t talk about the particular details of the case as it is still under investigation, but said there was no suggestion of foul play in relation to Jimmy’s death at this stage of the investigation.

But he said the RCMP are still waiting for the final report on the case from the BC Coroner’s Office.

“The death appears to be from a drug overdose, but the coroner’s office will make that final determination,” Manseau said.

“But any new information that comes up in the future could further the investigation so if anyone has any new information, they should give it to the RCMP.”



robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
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