Additional Coroner reveals 50% of people who die from lung-related issues have been using ICE

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

Autopsies had revealed that almost half of the people who died due to lung-related issues are addicted to ICE (crystal meth), Colombo’s Additional Coroner Iresha Deshani Samaraweera told The Island.

“Most of those who start using ICE die within two to three years. The rate of physical deterioration is incredible. Some elderly heroin addicts have switched over to ICE and they too are now dying,” she said.

Samaraweera said most people had started using ICE without realising how dangerous it was. Now, the Supreme Court can sentence anyone, including schoolchildren, to death for possessing five grams of ICE, she said.