A CORONER has warned that people who use drugs are playing Russian roulette' after the death of a 33-year-old man from a heroin overdose.

Anthony Duncan Mullen, was found dead in a bedroom at his uncle's house opposite his own home in Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, on May 15, an inquest heard.

Lemon juice, a needle and a spoon filter and heroin residue were among the items found by police at the scene.

Coroner Michael Singleton for Hyndburn, Blackburn and the Ribble Valley, said Mr Mullen, a welder by trade, had played Russian roulette' with his life when he had taken the drugs.

In his conclusion he compared Mr Mullen's actions to loading a single bullet into a gun, spinning the barrel and holding it to his temple.

Mr Singleton said: "Dabbling in drugs is like Russian roulette and Anthony Mullen paid the ultimate price."

Mr Mullen's mother, Ellen Mullen, his father, Thomas Mullen, and sister, Barbara Mullen, attended the inquest along with other family members.

Joyce Hindle, of Birch Hall Avenue, found Mr Mullen's body.

Mrs Hindle, who is the partner of Joseph Mullen, Mr Mullen's uncle, said: "On May 14 I had stayed over and Anthony was staying as well.

"At around about lunch time Anthony came back and stayed.

"He was going for a lie down and I didn't see him until 11.30am the following day.

"I called and there was no answer.

"He was curled in a ball at the end of the bed.

"He was wearing his day clothes, I touched him, he was very cold and I feared for the worst.

"I was aware he did dabbled with drugs.

"But he seemed alright when he stayed with us.

"He was happy, a very happy person."

Mr Mullen had been involved in a road traffic accident and gave up his work as a welder in February as a result of a neck injury he sustained.

Ellen Mullen said her son had dabbled with cannabis aged 16 and had learned of her son's heroin abuse when he had gone into rehab.

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Mullen died from acute respiratory arrest caused by the drug overdose.

Mr Singleton recorded a verdict of misadventure, Mr Mullen had died of an unforeseen consequence of a deliberate action.