Soldier’s overdose death exposes a disjointed health system

A coroner says the young man could have been saved
Matthew Tonkin. Photo: Four Corners

A young soldier who survived combat in Afghanistan died from a prescription drug overdose after falling victim to Australia’s disjointed health system, inquest findings suggest.

Matthew Neil Hardy Tonkin originally developed PTSD during his service in the army, where his best friend was killed by an Afghan defector.