MUM’S TORMENT AS WARN OF FLOOD OF
MUM Susan Bounds was left broken hearted when her son David died from a an overdose of deadly synthetic o opiate fentanyl.
And yet the 57-year-old ad admits she cannot live without th the powerful painkiller, which is fast becoming the UK’s most dangero gerous drug. Con Considered 50 times more powerful thantha heroin, fentanyl first made headli headlines last year after US singer Prince died from an accidental overdose ofo the prescription drug.
Sinc Since then substance abuse agencies in Wales have warned that an influx of the highly addictive opiate is imminent, while the Welsh Government has admitted monitoring its rising use as a recreational drug and its links to a number of deaths.
For years Susan, from Merthyr Tydfil, has taken fentanyl to help her cope with the pain of osteoporosis it was a nightmare.” that has left her disabled. A post-mortem examination found
But in 2011 her son was killed by his blood contained 7.36 micrograms the same substance she considers a of fentanyl – almost three times that lifeline. found in typical academic case stud
“I’ve ies.beenonitormanyyears,”the mother-of-two and grandmother-ofSusan had a phone call at around four said. “I have not got any idea 8am from David’s girlfriend, who had how my son got it but they said he heard that he had died. But she didn’t had been using the drug. believe it.
“I visited him the day before he When she called the prison she died, on the Friday, and the only was told: “There has been an incident thing I can recall was that he was in a and someone is coming to see you.” lot of pain.” Susan said: “The rumours were
The 30-year-old was found dead at true and I had to go and identify his 6am on Sunday, January 29, 2011, in body. That was horrendous.” his cell in Cardiff prison. David had always been open about
The dad-of-three was his drug use, but Susan had never over a desk. known him to use opiates.
“I never had any idea he was taking “I look at him as though he is still in drugs at that time in prison,” Susan prison because I find it easier. said. “I was under the impression he “When my husband passed away I was normal at that time, if you can used to go to the cemetery every day. understand that. He was in terrific But from the minute David was burpain because of his elbow, he had ied I have not been. I just can’t.” broken that and had major surgery.” An inquest concluded that David’s
Under his forehead was a piece of death was accidental. tin foil. It is believed that was used to Prison officers were unable to smoke fentanyl. resuscitate him as his body was
He had hidden a crumpled drugs already stiff from rigor mortis. patch in cellophane wrap before he “In my heart I don’t believe fentadied. Fentanyl also comes in that nyl is what killed David,” Susan said. form. “Even though they said that was
“I was under suspicion because the cause of death in the inquest. they thought I had taken it to David,” “It’s just something I cannot get my Susan said. “It was just a coincidence head around because I use it myself.” that I am on the same drug. The most she had ever used at a
“David was a user of crack cocaine time was two patches. when he went to prison. “I could never manage without
“He didn’t go to prison for drugs, them,” Susan said. “I’ve been on he went because he had stolen a car. them for many years. I’m just a nor
“David was in trouble all the time, mal person taking painkillers. slumped