INUKJUAK, Quebec – A Quebec coroner has recommended that judges take alcohol withdrawal into account when sentencing offenders not to consume alcohol. This comes after a 31-year-old man from Inukjuak in Nunavik died from complications associated with acute alcohol withdrawal. The man had been living with a serious alcohol condition at the time of his sentencing, as reported in a coroner’s report in December.
The man, who had pleaded guilty to criminal offenses, was sentenced to house arrest with a condition not to drink alcohol. Despite his efforts to respect his conditions, the man’s alcohol withdrawal symptoms became severe, leading to tragic consequences. His friend, with whom he was living at the time, found him unconscious in bed and rushed him to the health center, where he was pronounced dead.
The coroner, Éric Lépine, emphasized that the man’s death could have been prevented if he had been medically monitored during the first few days of his withdrawal. Lépine’s report recommended that when judges impose alcohol conditions, they should also impose a condition to report to the health center. Additionally, he recommended making judges and lawyers aware of the effects of alcohol withdrawal.
Catherine Claveau, president of the Quebec Bar Association, expressed the need to adapt the justice system to the reality of Indigenous people and collaborate with them in order to improve the situation. Conversely, the Quebec Judicial Council is evaluating how it can apply the coroner’s recommendations.
The tragic incident has prompted calls for better understanding and consideration of alcohol withdrawal in the justice system. As stakeholders work toward a solution, it becomes evident that addressing the unique challenges of individuals struggling with alcohol dependence requires a comprehensive and compassionate approach in the legal process.