Addict died after taking illicit and prescribed drugs

ADRUG user from Widnes with chronic health issues died after taking a mix of illicit and prescription substances, an inquest heard.

David Thomas Lomax, 49, was found deceased in bed at home on Wavell Avenue by his father David Lomax Sr on the morning of Saturday, October 2 last year.

An inquest at Warrington Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, July 6, heard Mr Lomax Sr rang 999 and under instruction moved his son to the floor to conduct CPR but realised his efforts were “in vain” and David Jr had died.

David was last seen by his mother Christine the previous evening before going to bed and this was not unusual as he would sometimes “sleep off” his prescription medication.

Jean Harkin, assistant coroner for Cheshire, read evidence including from toxicologist Philippa Wood whose tests detected illicit and prescription drugs in David’s system.

The presence of a specific morphine metabolite indicated heroin use but its absence in his blood suggested this consumption was not recent and would not have been “exerting notable effects” at the time.

Ms Wood reported the main risk to life from the mix of substances was from depression of the nervous system and respiratory failure.

Dr Mark Lord, pathologist, completed a post mortem examination and reported that David suffered from lung congestion and hypertensive heart disease, but that the “combination of drugs is likely to have proven fatal” due to “cardiac toxicity and or respiratory depression”.

He recorded a cause of death of “multiple drug toxicity”.

The inquest heard written medical evidence from David’s GP and the Change Grow Live (CGL) substance recovery group.

David had moved home to live with his parents six years earlier due to his “poor” health after “years of drug addiction”, and he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and walked with crutches.

He used illicit substances two or three times a week, and his last face-to-face consultation with CGL was on September 30.

There had been no expressions of intent to harm himself.

A statement from Detective Sergeant Joseph McNally said police found no evidence of suspicious or third-party involvement.

Mrs Harkin recorded a conclusion that David Thomas Lomax, born in Whiston in 1972, died at home in Widnes on October 2 and his death was “drug-related”.

She expressed her condolences to his family and thanked them for their assistance in preparing documentation for the inquest.

Residents experiencing substance misuse issues can seek support from the NHS at nhs. co.uk , and advice is also available for family members.