Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Daniel Mervis

Ref: 2021-0027 Date: 3 Feb 2021 Coroner: Professor Fiona Wilcox Area: Inner West London Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

Oxford University lacks an overarching drug misuse policy, and St John's College's conflicting approach of severe penalties versus support may discourage students with addiction from seeking help.

Date 3 Feb 2021

56-day deadline 31 Mar 2021 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

Oxford University lacks an overarching drug misuse policy, and St John's College's conflicting approach of severe penalties versus support may discourage students with addiction from seeking help.

View full coroner's concerns

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

Responses

1 respondent

St Johns College Oxford Education

26 Mar 2021 PDF

Action Planned

St John's College will adopt a template policy for drug misuse, rewrite the student handbook for clarity, and include information in Fresher's week. They will also run a Welfare week to raise awareness of drugs, addiction, and available support. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Madam Response of St John's College Oxford to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths issued by the Coroner on February 2021 arising out of the inquest into the Death of Daniel Mervis, Ex-undergraduate: The purpose of this communlcatlon Is to provide Formal Response to the Coroners Regulation 28 Report outlined above. In her Report, the Coroner ralsed the following; Concerns of the Coroner: That Oxford Unlversity has no overarching pollcy agreed by all colleges, and that St John's should encourage the University to develop the same That there Is an apparent conflict between St John's stated policy to deal with utmost severity with those students who mlsuse 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 thls risk That St John's drug misuse policies should be more widely advertised for example at Freshers' week In Response, St John's addresses these matters as follows; Response to Concerns The Conference of Colleges (a forum for the Colleges of the University of Oxford to deal with matters of shared interest and common purpose) has set up a Task and Finish group, to be led by the Master of Pembroke College: The Intention is to set up a template policy that all Colleges will be able to adopt St John's College will be represented on the working group by the Principal Bursar and the Welfare Dean. Knlghts Plc Midland House Wesl Way Botley Oxlord ox2 OPH T 01885 811700 W knighlsplc coit Knlghie plc Is In0 tradlng nane of Knighis Profeasional Sarvices Llmited whlch limhlad ccmpany ragialorod In England and Waler; reglstered no 08453370 and aulhorlsad and regulaled by Ihe Sollcltore Ragulallon Aulharlly undor number 620505 Repls(ered ofllca The Brampton. Mlo xcaslio-undor-Lyio Stallordshlro St6 Oaw: VAT no. 208 8271 04

Knightspk St John's will adopt the template policy outlined In response one. In addition to this It will be rewriting the appropriate sectlon of the student handbooks to make sure that there Is greater clarity about the confidential support that students are able to recelve without worrying about any potential legal or disclpllnary consequences. St John's will make sure that this continues to be included fully In Fresher's week; In addition, we will run a Welfare week (most Ilkely In 5th week of the first term of the academic year) where, amongst other matters_ we will try and ralse a broader awareness of drugs, the consequences of addiction and drug misuse, and the support available to students both from within St John's and from external agencies: We will work with our student representatives to make sure this Is as meaningful as posslble. We would be grateful If you would acknowledge receipt of this communicatlon for our records

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

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. Extensive evidence was taken in court. In summary, of relevance to this report:

It was clear that Daniel was using drugs whilst at St John’s College. Concerns were raised by Daniel’s father , as part of submissions in relation the duty of the coroner to write a Regulation 28 report of the conflict between the College’s policy to deal with drug misuse severely, but also at the same time to offer support to individual’s whose lives are blighted by drug misuse. There is no suggestion that the College should condone illegality, but since drug addiction is an illness, then support by the College may assist students with these issues to access appropriate care, perhaps early on in their addiction and thus help prevent future deaths. Concerns of the Coroner:

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.

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Report details

Reference: 2021-0027
Date of report: 3 February 2021
Coroner: Professor Fiona Wilcox
Coroner area: Inner West London

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 31 Mar 2021 (estimated).

Sent to

St John’s College, Oxford University

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.