Inquest: Man Dies in Hospital From Drugs

A tragic inquest in Exeter has revealed the death of a 21-year-old man, Luca Micic, at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital on March 22, 2024. He had been admitted four days prior due to injuries sustained in a road traffic collision. Luca, who had a history of drug use, was prescribed pain relief medication during his hospital stay.

Despite medical care, Luca managed to take illicit drugs, suspected to be bromazolam, while on the ward. This led to a critical condition, and he was moved to intensive care. Tragically, he was found unresponsive on March 22 and pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination identified a dangerous combination of cocaine, ketamine, bromazolam, methadone, and morphine in his system.

Senior coroner Alison Longhorn recorded a drug-related death, noting the combined toxic effect of opioids and bromazolam as the cause, with sleep apnoea as a contributory factor. Luca's mother questioned the medical management, suggesting tests for illegal substances should have preceded methadone administration. Doctors stated such tests are not standard hospital procedure.