A CORONER has urged drug abusers in East Lancashire to use clean needles and spare themselves blood infections or even death.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton has spoken out during two hearings in the last three weeks, warning of the dangers of sharing needles.

And he was today supported by the CommuniCare NHS Trust needle exchange co-ordinator Danny Leech, who urged drug abusers to use sterile injecting equipment.

Drug addict Phillip Ormston, 32, died three weeks after injecting himself with heroin and mother-of-five Christine Mercer, 28, died two weeks after using a contaminated needle.

Yesterday, an inquest at Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Ormston, of Tower Street, Darwen, died as a result of injecting himself with heroin in a contaminated needle.

A post mortem examination revealed the presence of methadone and heroin, though not at levels that would have brought that his death. The cause of death was haemodynamic shock due to septicaemia and gastro intestinal haemorrhaging as a result of intravenous drug abuse.

Mr Singleton said it seemed most likely that an injection three weeks before Mr Ormston's death had been with an unsterilised needle. "With any form of injection there is the risk, if you use unsterilised needles, of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream," said Mr Singleton.

"We talk about not sharing needles and only using sterile needles and this case is indicative of how necessary that is and how lethal the consequences can be if that advice is not followed." Christine Mercer, of Rockliffe Street, Blackburn, died on November 19 - two weeks after injecting herself with amphetamine using a contaminated needle.

Her death was caused by blood clotting caused by septicaemia brought on by intravenous drug abuse, an inquest heard on February 4.

Mr Leach said: "We want injecting drug users to use sterile equipment and urge them to contact us to obtain clean needles and safe injecting advice."

Anyone wanting free and confidential advice on injecting drugs can contact the Jarman Centre on 01254 263525.

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