UPDATE, Aug. 4: York Regional Police have confirmed that a man died of a suspected overdose at the Tim Hortons outlet at 191 Davis Dr. in Newmarket July 28.
Emergency responders, including police, attended to an injured 36-year-old Newmarket man at the location, Const. Laura Nicolle said, adding that he was surrounded by drug paraphernalia and was administered Naloxone.
He was later pronounced dead at the hospital of a suspected overdose, she said.
Crystal Cole, who witnessed the incident at around 11:30 a.m., said a man was pulled from the washroom and that paramedics did full chest compressions on the person, who had gone grey.
“It’s devastating to see,” Cole said. “I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. It’s heartbreaking."
Const. Maniva Armstrong said the incident does not involve a criminal investigation or concern to public safety.
The Tim Hortons location was closed except for the drive-thru later in the day. Cole said police closed the restaurant for some time.
Cole, a care planner with a nursing agency, said she has experience with acquaintances and family going through drug addictions.
“There’s very little support. People that suffer addictions are frowned upon,” she said. “They’re looked at like their life doesn’t matter.
Cole said police and paramedics on the scene performed admirably. She said she was in distress as she mistook the injured person for someone she knew, but police helped her.
“The police were so professional, compassionate,” Cole said. “The entire police, EMS, and all firefighters were giving it their all to try and save him.”
Cole said addictions are Canada-wide issue that governments and communities need to address.
“Oftentimes, addicts are very low on the totem pole,” she said. “Not enough support systems in place for people to get the help they need.”
There needs to be more awareness on the issue, she added.
"We're losing people. We're losing our children," Cole said.
