Very Sad
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Miami student's death an overdose
Coroner says accounting major who suffered from migraines accidentally overdosed on Methodone.
HAMILTON— A Miami University student found dead in a fraternity house in November died of a drug overdose.
Clifton Alexander, 20, of Piqua, died of an accidental overdose of Methodone, Butler County Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt said Monday. Lab results also showed that benzodiazepine, a mild tranquilizer, was in Alexander's body.
Alexander, the third Miami student this year whose death was unnatural, suffered from migraine headaches and there were also two drugs in his body associated with treatment of that illness, Burkhardt said. But he said Alexander did not have a prescription for Methadone or the tranquilizer.
"We think he got it off the street," Burkhardt said. "Drugs there (Miami) are ubiquitous, it is my understanding."
The only prescription found in Alexander's room at the Sigma Nu fraternity house was for Migranal, a nasal spray to treat migraines, he said.
Burkhardt said Methadone was originally used by those addicted to morphine or heroin, but in recent years has become a prescribed drug.
He said the drug has a long "half life" and builds up quickly in the body. Other drugs taken with it amplify the effect.
The accounting major was found around 7:20 p.m. Nov. 26 inside his room at the frat house. The son of Miami County Recorder John Alexander and his wife, Kathleen, he was vice president of his fraternity and played in the university's marching band.
"We don't have an explanation," said John Alexander. "It was a shock to us. We miss him very much."
Alexander said his son was diagnosed with migraine headaches at the age of 9.
"He suffered for a long time. He was hospitalized a number of times where they had to sedate him to ease the pain," his father said.
Alexander was the third Miami student this year to suffer an unnatural death. In October, a 20-year-old student from Sharonville committed suicide by stepping in front of a train. In April, an intoxicated 19-year-old student also was hit by a train.
Oxford Police Chief Steve Schwein said he does not agree with the coroner that drugs in Oxford and on campus are plentiful.
"I don't think it is any more of problem that any other institution in the country," Schwein said.
He said police want to talk with Alexander's friends to determine where he got the Methadone, but that is not possible until students return after winter break.
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