Daniel Brian Mervis · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 16th September 2020, evidence was heard touching the death of Daniel Brian Mervis. Mr Mervis had died as result of a mixed drug overdose on 25th October 2019 aged 23 years.

Medical Cause of Death

I (a) Mixed drug toxicity

How, when, where Mr Mervis came by his death:

Daniel had misused drugs from his teens and this progressed to addiction and IV drug use. His addiction relapsed and remitted and required multiple rehabilitations. He also suffered with anxiety, depression and ADHD. In 2019 he was drug free for around 8 months but relapsed again in the last 2 months of his life. This progressed and on 24/10/2019 he arrested following drug misuse. He was resuscitated but self-discharged form hospital. Sadly, he took more illicit substances. He was found deceased in the flat of a known drug dealer, likely to have been supplied drugs by person or persons present at the scene. He could not be resuscitated and was recognised as life extinct at 04:02 by the London Ambulance Service.

Conclusion of the Coroner as to the death:

Drug related misadventure.

1. That Oxford University has no overarching policy agreed by all colleges, and that St John’s should encourage the University to develop the same.

2. That there is an apparent conflict between St John’s stated policy to deal with utmost severity with those students who misuse or supply drugs, and the apparent support those students who suffer with drug addiction are offered. This conflict may discourage such students to seek help for their addiction out of fear of the consequences, either legal or disciplinary. A policy of the College which is well publicised and stresses the confidential nature of support offered may mitigate this risk.

3. That St John’s drug misuse policies should be more widely advertised for example at Fresher’s week.