Pubdate: Sat, 03 Dec 2005
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2005, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Petti Fong
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

COCAINE KILLED TRAINER, JURY FINDS

VANCOUVER -- The death of fitness trainer Roman Andreichikov was the
result of cardiac arrest after cocaine intoxication and psychosis, a
coroner's inquest found yesterday.

The five-person jury did not fault the use of a police taser as
contributing to Mr. Andreichikov's death on May 1, 2004.

During the four-day inquest, the jury heard from Mr. Andreichikov's
friends, his apartment manager, police officers who were at the scene,
paramedics and pathologists about what happened in the days before and
just after his death.

Mr. Andreichikov was on a five-day cocaine binge the day he died in
his Granville Street apartment. He fought with his girlfriend, who
testified that he was paranoid, overheated and depressed.

A friend called 911 for help after Mr. Andreichikov twice tried to
jump off his fourth-floor balcony.

Constable Darren Hall and his partner, Constable Mark Bouchey, were
the first officers to arrive on the scene. Two other officers also
helped restrain Mr. Andreichikov after Constable Hall decided to fire
his taser twice at the man in an attempt to create a "window of
opportunity" to put handcuffs on him.

Constable Hall and the other officers testified that Mr. Andreichikov
was behaving erratically and was so strong that it took three
officers, struggling and panting, to restrain him.

The jury recommended the use of a strap-restraint device to control
people in extreme agitated states. It also recommended that after 911
calls for acute cocaine intoxication or psychosis, an advanced medical
team should be dispatched first. In Mr. Andreichikov's case,
basic-level paramedics were sent.

Meanwhile, a Vancouver police constable is facing charges of using
excessive force with a taser. Constable Trevor Lowe, 28, has been
charged with one count of assault with a weapon and one count of
common assault after an internal police investigation.

A 23-year-old man suffered minor injuries when he was arrested outside
the Stone Temple Nightclub in June. 
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