An Ottawa man who was given a fatal overdose of methadone at a government-sanctioned clinic last year died of heart failure, a coroner's inquest was told Monday.

Wade Hatt, a 41-year-old father of two, was given 10 times his regular dose — 150 mg instead of 15 mg — at a methadone clinic on Somerset Street in October 2005.

Wade Hatt, a 41-year-old father of two boys, was on a methadone maintenance program to deal with his addiction to painkillers.
(CBC)

Staff realized the mistake and induced vomiting, then sent Hatt home. He died later that night.

The inquest is meant to clarify the circumstances surrounding Hatt's death, including why he was sent home instead of to a hospital.

It will also try to answer the broader question of whether Ontario's methadone clinics are safe, and may provide recommendations for preventing future deaths.

On Monday, the first day of the inquest, the pathologist who examined Hatt's body testified that the methadone overdose had sparked a fatal heart attack.

Methadone is used to treat people addicted to opiate drugs such as codeine, morphine and heroin.

The maintenance clinics give addicts the option of regular visits to obtain a dose of the drug, instead of buying other opiates of unknown quality on the street.

Methadone can be ingested and its effects last for 24 hours.

Maintenance program

Hatt, who worked as a night delivery man, was on a methadone maintenance program in an effort to kick an addiction to painkillers.

A 2005 article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that more than 11,000 Ontario residents were registered in methadone maintenance programs.

The inquest, before five jurors, is expected to hear testimony from approximately 10 witnesses over five days. The presiding coroner is Dr. Andrew McCallum.

With files from the Canadian Press