Inukjuak, Quebec – A Quebec coroner’s report is recommending that judges take alcohol withdrawal into account when imposing sentencing conditions on offenders not to consume alcohol. The recommendation comes after the tragic death of a 31-year-old man from Inukjuak in Nunavik, who died from complications associated with acute alcohol withdrawal.
The man had pleaded guilty to criminal offenses and had been sentenced to house arrest with a condition not to drink alcohol. He had been living with a serious alcohol condition at the time of his sentencing. Determined to respect his conditions, he went to live with a friend to get away from the alcohol that had driven him to drink in the first place. The man’s friend noticed his severe tremors and unconsciousness later in the evening, leading to his rushed transport to the health center, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the coroner’s report, the man’s alcohol dependency was well-known to the judge, as it had been discussed extensively by his defense lawyer during sentencing. The report suggested that the man’s death could have been avoided if he had been medically monitored during the first few days of his withdrawal. As a result, the coroner’s recommendations include judges imposing a condition to report to the health center when alcohol conditions are imposed, as well as making judges and lawyers aware of the effects of alcohol withdrawal.
Catherine Claveau, president of the Quebec Bar Association, acknowledged the need to adapt the justice system to the reality of Indigenous people, indicating that they are working on developing training to improve the system. The Quebec Judicial Council also expressed its commitment to evaluating how it can apply the coroner’s recommendations, emphasizing the importance of following up on the report’s findings.
The tragic death of the Inukjuak man has prompted a call for increased awareness and support for individuals experiencing alcohol withdrawal during sentencing, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing alcohol-related issues in the justice system.