A family photo of Dustin Tabor with his father Tyler Tabor of Johnstown, who mysteriously passed away May 17 in the Adams County jail. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post/ handout photo courtesy of the Tabor family)
Re: “Father of dead Adams County jail inmate angered over no accountability,” Oct. 18 news story.
Addiction is a chronic disease and is similar to other chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Adams County jail officials acknowledged that Tyler Tabor needed medical treatment for his disease by moving him to a medical unit and placing him on an opiate withdrawal protocol. That is where his treatment apparently ended. He was allowed to languish without appropriate hydration and was not sufficiently monitored. Suspiciously, the surveillance tapes have gaps and lack time stamps. Adams County jail and medical staff need to be held accountable for his pain, suffering and death.
The statements by the forensic pathologist as to the cause of Tabor’s death — “Mr. Tabor died as a result of his heroin addiction and dehydration associated with his withdrawal from the illegal use of that substance” — were judgmental and inhumane.
We need enforceable medical standards of care for drug and alcohol withdrawal and treatment in correctional facilities. I extend my sympathy to Tyler’s family and support their quest for answers.
Debora Judish, Thornton
This letter was published in the Oct. 20 edition.
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