Inhalant abuser dies in toilet

[Taishi Ci]

Inhalant abuser dies in toilet
By Shaffiq Alkhatib | Posted: 08 December 2010 1519 hrs
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SINGAPORE: A 42-year-old inhalant abuser paid the ultimate price for his habit.

Kan Siew Kai died in a coffee shop toilet at Block 5 Banda Street, with a bag containing a yellowish substance, later found to contain toluene, at his feet.

Toluene is a toxic substance commonly found in paint and glue.

The Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday that Mr Kan was found sitting motionless on the toilet bowl at around 6.40pm on July 11. He was found by the supervisor of the eatery.

Mr Kan was pronounced dead about half an hour later, by paramedics.

Medical reports showed Mr Kan had succumbed to toluene poisoning.

It was revealed that he had been a substance abuser since 1990.

He had also been admitted multiple times to the Institute of Mental Health due to problems such as inhalant-induced psychosis and anti-social personality disorder.

State Coroner Imran Abdul Hamid has recorded a verdict of misadventure.

-CNA/wk