Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jul 2001
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2001 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Amy Boerema, Franny White
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (OxyContin)

OXYCONTIN SUSPECTED IN MAN'S DEATH

Appleton Man Had Taken Drug For Back Pain, Report Says

The death of an Appleton man may be the second fatal OxyContin overdose in 
the Milwaukee area, according to a Milwaukee County medical examiner's report.

Timothy T. Neddo, 27, was found dead at a relative's home in Wauwatosa 
early Monday morning. Neddo, a diabetic with back problems, was living with 
relatives in Wauwatosa, the report says.

He had been taking oxycodone, a family of prescription pain relievers which 
includes the brand OxyContin, for back pain.

A cousin came home at 1 a.m. and found Neddo on the floor, and thought he 
was asleep.

When the cousin put a blanket on him an hour later, Neddo felt cool and was 
unresponsive, and the cousin called 911.

The cause of death is undetermined.

"He was a loving son," said his mother, Nancy.

"Every day, I got a hug and a kiss from him and he told me how much he 
loved me. He appreciated everything I did as a mother. He's not perfect, he 
has done things wrong in his life, but haven't we all?"

Neddo said her son especially loved children and spent as much time as 
possible with his niece and nephew.

Neddo, who at one time weighed over 600 pounds, was diagnosed with manic 
depressive disorder, the medical examiner's report says.

He had chronic pain and had sought help from doctors in Milwaukee and 
elsewhere.

Whether an overdose on OxyContin caused Neddo's death won't be known for 
certain until toxicology tests are completed in about five weeks.

The area's first oxycodone-related death occurred in Cudahy on June 6, when 
Jeffrey Hough, 18, died from "mixed drug toxicity" of the drugs oxycodone 
and Benzodiavipine, the medical examiner's office said.

"OxyContin is something we're going to have to keep an eye out for," said 
Lt. Dennis Davidson of the Wauwatosa Police Department.

"It concerns me."
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