No, it can take hours or even days to die. In most cases a person takes the drug at home with no medical personnel present, so the reporting of the time it took the person to die may not be accurate.

No. The person does not have to inform any family members?

Yes, the drugs can be taken in a public place? Although the laws usually prohibit the consuming of the drug in a public place, like a beach on a lake, there is no way to enforce this provision.