Amid the chaos and struggle surrounding the adverse effects Thomas Humphrey suffered from taking methamphetamine, Ontario’s chief forensic pathologist says viewing it as medical emergency rather than a criminal situation was the right call by first responders.

When it comes to responding to a situation like Humphrey’s, Michael Pollanen said it is important to “correctly identify them as someone needing medical care,” while testifying Wednesday during the sixth day of the inquest into Humphrey’s death.

He said drug-related deaths can be prevented by not viewing this as a behavioural or criminal issue.

Although he didn’t survive, Pollanen said Humphrey being brought to hospital was a “victory,” because sometimes people in this situation die outside of a medical environment if they are div

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