Væ§ølis
12-14-2003, 01:06 AM
By Kevin Simpson
[email protected]
BLOOMINGTON -- The Sept. 24 death of a Normal man who overdosed while getting high on an over-the-counter medicine was ruled accidental by a McLean County coroner's jury Thursday.
Evidence at Jonathan M. Frary's apartment suggested the 22-year-old was experimenting with high doses of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, a cough suppressant typically found in cold medicine, McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling said.
Frary had legally purchased the drug -- often called DXM -- in a pure form via the Internet, Normal police Detective Jason Wood testified. When taken in high doses, the drug can have hallucinogenic and psychoactive effects similar to LSD.
A toxicology test showed DXM in Frary's system, but there is no known literature on fatal levels, Deputy Coroner Dave Killian said. At least two other U.S. deaths have been attributed to DXM overdoses.
Frary was found dead on the living room floor with the drug nearby. Notes written by Frary indicated he had taken a high dose and was documenting his "trip." Frary also tape recorded himself under the drug's influence, Wood said.
Frary's best friend told Wood that Frary had first used the drug in November and recently used it more often and at higher doses, said Killian. Family members said Frary was not depressed or suicidal, but he had made comments alluding to his death on the audiotape.
[email protected]
BLOOMINGTON -- The Sept. 24 death of a Normal man who overdosed while getting high on an over-the-counter medicine was ruled accidental by a McLean County coroner's jury Thursday.
Evidence at Jonathan M. Frary's apartment suggested the 22-year-old was experimenting with high doses of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, a cough suppressant typically found in cold medicine, McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling said.
Frary had legally purchased the drug -- often called DXM -- in a pure form via the Internet, Normal police Detective Jason Wood testified. When taken in high doses, the drug can have hallucinogenic and psychoactive effects similar to LSD.
A toxicology test showed DXM in Frary's system, but there is no known literature on fatal levels, Deputy Coroner Dave Killian said. At least two other U.S. deaths have been attributed to DXM overdoses.
Frary was found dead on the living room floor with the drug nearby. Notes written by Frary indicated he had taken a high dose and was documenting his "trip." Frary also tape recorded himself under the drug's influence, Wood said.
Frary's best friend told Wood that Frary had first used the drug in November and recently used it more often and at higher doses, said Killian. Family members said Frary was not depressed or suicidal, but he had made comments alluding to his death on the audiotape.