A coroner has expressed his sadness at presiding over another drugs related death inquest in his area.
A documentary inquest hearing was held yesterday (May 22) into the death of 29-year-old Benjamin Wood. Mr Wood lived in Horwich and struggled with drug addiction since his teenage years, Bolton Coroners' Court heard.
He received support from his family but remained an addict, coroner Alan Walsh said. In the days leading up to December 22 last year Mr Wood stayed at his brother's house in Horwich, the hearing heard.
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In a statement to police following Benjamin's death, his brother said that Benjamin had been on a 'three day bender' and was on a 'number of drugs'. This culminated in his death on Bridge Street, Horwich, on December 22.
Mr Wood, of Singleton Avenue, Horwich, had taken pregabalin, cocaine, and drank heavily, the court heard. A police investigation found no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Wood's death.
A statement from Joanne Shaw, a recovery coordinator in Bolton, said that Mr Wood was known to their services and a referral had been made earlier in 2022 to support him with a cocaine and alcohol addiction. A statement from Alison Walmsley, a mental health nurse, said that Mr Wood had contacted Greater Manchester Mental Health team on December 18 last year where he was advised to contact the drugs team, but he was not heard from again.
Mr Walsh, recording a drugs related death with a cause of death of 'drug toxicity', said: "I accept this is someone who had been using drugs from his teenage years. There is evidence he continued to use drugs, starting with cannabis but then progressed to using other drugs.
"He was supported by his family and they provided all the amenities requested when he was moved to Singleton Avenue, Horwich, Bolton. Unfortunately he was addicted to the drugs and was someone who continued to take drugs in the period leading up to his death.
"His brother told the police he had been on a three day bender which culminated in his death. He had used a number of drugs.
"I am greatly saddened to see another death due to drugs in this town. It clearly is a problem where individuals don't realise the damage in the long term with use of illicit drugs."
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