Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 18/98) - Police continue to investigate the recent rash of sudden deaths in Yellowknife.

RCMP are trying to track down where the cocaine came from that was found to have been used by three of the four men who died suddenly earlier this month. Toxicology reports on three men, Hai Lee Lam, 35, Ernie Vandemeer, 43, and Randolph Stephen Olynuk, 38, reveal that cocaine was present in their systems.

"We want to know where the drugs came from," said Const. Ron Vlooswk of the Yellowknife RCMP drug section. "Anybody who is named or suspected to know anything is (being) contacted."

None of the deaths are being investigated for foul play. The clinical cause of death has yet to be determined through further toxicology testing of the levels of drugs in the bodies.

Percy Kinney, the chief coroner for the NWT said he called the forensic pathologist in Edmonton Thursday morning to see if the levels of the drugs found in the bodies had been determined.

"He had not received (the levels) yet," said Kinney.

However, Kinney said that the levels may have already been determined in the lab, but the final process of sending it to the forensic pathologist for interpretation had not been done.

Kinney explained that the forensic pathologist has to determine if the levels of drugs in an individual were enough to kill them. The pathologist combines the toxicology tests with other information gained from the autopsy, the information gathered at the scene, and any medical history to determine if the levels of drugs were enough to be fatal.

"The problem with levels is they are not absolute," said Kinney. "What kills me doesn't necessarily kill you. So we can just say here's the level and this is what killed him. It's fatal to this guy and it may not be to the next."

Kinney suggested drug overdose is always a possibility no matter how experienced a person is with the drug.

The biological chemicals in an individuals body are constantly changing. Add that to the uncertainty of how a person will react to differing percentages of purity in a drug like cocaine and anything could happen.

"People who use it take it to a level and then a second time to another level and the third time they could take half of that and it kills them," said Kinney. "It can kill at any level and that's why you don't take it. It's just not good stuff."

Meanwhile, Vlooswk said cocaine abuse remains a continuing problem in Yellowknife.

"Cocaine is very common (in Yellowknife)," said Vlooswk. "It's been here for a long time. A good 10 years."

Kinney said he had yet to receive results of any toxicology tests, performed on the body of David Tagoona, 51, who also died Dec. 7.

"The doctor who interprets the tests is not there today and the assistant is not sure if tests are there to interpret," said Kinney. "I'm assuming they've been done already."