COCAINE ABUSE CAUSED MAN'S DEATH

Police officers and paramedics don't believe there's anything they
could have done any differently to prevent the death of a combative
cocaine addict, a fatality inquiry heard yesterday.

Tamer Roha, 27, died after being restrained by police at the Quality
Inn at 2539 Banff Tr. N.W., on Sept. 4, 2002.

A medical examiner testified yesterday his death was due to a
cocaine-fuelled nervous system response called excitation delirium,
which causes the person to essentially go crazy and often ends in
cardiac arrest.

Six police officers said they had no choice but to use physical force,
in accordance with the police force's policy, to restrain Roha.

"I believe we followed our training," testified Const. Brian
Denison.

The fatality inquiry will re-convene Oct. 23.