Police investigate drug-related death
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Police believe an unattended death of a local man at his home Aug. 23 is due to a drug overdose.
“Police were called around 6:59 a.m. to assist the Presque Isle Fire Department and Crown Ambulance with an unattended death. The 51-year-old male (whose name is not being released) was found at home in bed,” said Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge, Presque Isle Police Department.
Selfridge indicated a household member had discovered the man unresponsive and called for help.
“We were advised he was last seen snorting a couple pills,” said Selfridge, who indicated the man was on prescribed medication and that “his meds had been used prior to their expiration date.”
The Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and was working with the PIPD to determine an exact cause of death.
“At this time, it’s suspected to be a non-prescribed drug overdose,” said Selfridge.
Selfridge said police continue to work to educate the public about the dangers of misusing prescription and non-prescription drugs.
“The sad fact of the matter is incidents like this are preventable. There is help out there; lives don’t need to be lost,” said Selfridge.
