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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 18, 2008 - 3 Grieving mom and dad want inquest They want to change the future to save others By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF T hey can't change the past to save their daughter, so two Oakville parents want to change the future to save other children from the dangers of antidepressant drugs. Rhonda and Neil Carlin are demanding the Ontario coroner call an inquest into the death of their 18-year-old daughter Sara Allison Carlin. Sara, a graduate of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School and an Ontario Scholar, was described by her parents as a beautiful and intelligent young woman with limitless potential. She was an accomplished athlete in many sports and was looking forward to finishing university in order to pursue a career as a dermatologist. Instead, on Sunday, May 6, 2007, Sara, suffering from the apparent side effects of a powerful antidepressant drug, grabbed a piece of electrical wiring, fashioned a crude noose and hanged herself in the basement of her parents' house. In the months leading up to her death, Sara was taking the antidepressant Paxil (paxoxetine), which had been prescribed to help alleviate some anxiety she was feeling about leaving home for the first time to attend university. Known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), the drug works by altering the level of chemicals in the brain that control mood. Sara's parents are convinced it was this drug, and the way in which the province allows it to be distributed, that killed their daughter. "Certainly we suffer from terrible grief, but at the same time we're not anti-psychiatry, we're not antiprescription drugs, we're not antiSSRI anti-depressants," said Neil. "What this is about is ensuring the appropriate use of these drugs and seeing that the public and Drug company response In response to queries from The Oakville Beaver, Peter Schram, of Corporate Communications, GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Paxil, issued this statement: "Any suicide is tragic and the greatest risk for suicide is untreated depression." Paroxetine has been used by tens of millions of patients and has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment since its launch more than 15 years ago. The label contains instructions regarding the use of paroxetine and important safety information about the product. If patients have questions regarding the use of paroxetine, or the management of their depression, they should contact their health care professional. "Also, it is very important that patients do not stop taking paroxetine without first consulting with their doctor." SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER GONE FOREVER: Sara Carlin's parents can't change the past, but believe an inquest could change the future. patients are properly informed of their dangers." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn is now aiding the Carlins in their efforts to get an inquest into the events surrounding Sara's death. "When they told me their story, it certainly increased my appetite to find out more because it was such a tragic story," said Flynn. Flynn sent a letter to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Rick Bartolucci, requesting support for a public inquest, but the minister soon wrote back noting that he would be leaving the decision in the "I want to stress that an inquest is not intended to be the vehicle by which someone is held responsible or accountable for a death." Dr. David Evans, Regional Supervising Coroner hands of the chief coroner. On June 12, 2008 the Regional Supervising Coroner, Dr. David Evans, contacted the Carlins and denied their request for a public inquest. In a letter to the Carlins, the coroner noted an inquest must serve the public interest and stated that such an inquest into Sara's death would not do that. He said a jury would not make useful recommendations that could prevent similar deaths in the future. "I want to stress that an inquest is not intended to be the vehicle by which someone is held responsible or accountable for a death," wrote Evans. The response was a severe blow to the Carlins. "I think that eventually the issue of these SSRI related deaths will explode -- and that the OCCO (Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario) will be seen as having done nothing -- in the interest of public safety -- especially to protect our young ones," said Neil. Flynn also disagreed with the coroner's ruling and noted that he is continuing to push minister Bartolucci for a public inquest. He has also informed the premier's office of his efforts. "If you don't have a child that needs SSRIs you probably don't even know what they are. It's just not an issue that's been picked up by the general public," said Flynn. "I think in the case here where you have a tragedy like this and other tragedies that appear to be See Local page 5 CALIFORNIA & PLANTATION SHUTTERS · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices Shop at Home Service Authorized Eclipse Shutters Dealer FREE SHUTTERS ETC. 905.691.4455 · www.shuttersetc.ca