DOCTOR SAYS HIS INTENT WAS TO GET CONSTIBLE OFF HEROIN

Managing the dual diagnoses of Christena Constible prior to her death was
akin to crisis management, according to the physician who was treating her.

"I think it's safe to say that between May 1 and May 11 we were putting out
fires," Dr. James Swanney said Thursday, during his second day of testimony
at the coroner's inquest into Constible's death.

The 20-year-old Abbotsford woman died May 12, 2000 after a lengthy bout
with heroin addiction and depression. An autopsy at the time indicated the
young woman had several prescription drugs in her system. Under questioning
from Constible family lawyer Reg Harris Thursday, Swanney said that two
months previous to her death it was clear to him that "she was becoming
obsessive and suicidal."

With the help of her father John, who had taken a year leave from work to
help his daughter battle her heroin addiction, Christena had weaned herself
off methadone, a drug used to wean addicts off heroin.

But Swanney said that the less dependent Christena was on narcotics, the
more she was dealing with depression.

"Her mental illness was escalating . . . ."

Christena was prescribed Paxol May 1 and continued to use the
antidepressant through to her death and she was also prescribed the
antidepressant Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) by Swanney.

"That was the first time I used it for the narcotic heroin cravings,"
Swanney said. The inquest heard Christena was demanding more methadone
despite the fact she had weaned herself.

"She seemed frightened to come off," Swanney said, adding he thought
"familial pressure" was involved.

Swanney had dispensed a small amount of methodone, out of his office with
"patient returned" supply - a practice Swanney said he has discontinued.

Swanney testified that he believed getting Christena admitted into a
psychiatric ward bed at MSA Hospital was best for her after she "slashed
herself."

The inquest continues today.