A REFORMED drug addict who was training as a counsellor died after taking a heroin overdose, an inquest heard.

John Brett Jackson, 27, was found in his flat in Corporation Street, Clitheroe, on August 11. His parents became concerned when they hadn't seen him for a couple of days and called at the premises.

The inquest heard the separated father-of-three had beaten a heroin addiction and was training as a drugs counsellor. But he was found slumped on a mattress and police officers later discovered 'drugs paraphernalia' next to his body.

His mum, Jill Jackson, said her son had worked hard to beat 10 years of drug abuse and mood swings. His relationship with his long-term partner had ended, but access negotiations regarding the couple's three children had been conducted amicably.

"He seemed to have accepted that the relationship was over and showed no signs of being depressed. He had beaten heroin addiction and was training as a drugs counsellor. He was getting his life back together," she said. She became concerned, however, when she hadn't seen her son for a few days and alerted the police.

Clitheroe police officer Anthony Walsh, said he found syringes and drugs paraphernalia next to the dead man's body when he entered the flat.

A post mortem examination by pathologist Richard Prescott, revealed needle puncture marks on the dead man's inner arms and a quantity of morphine in his blood consistent with recreational use of drugs.

There was evidence to suggest that the dead man had been free of drugs misuse for some time, he said.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton, said reformed addicts dabbling in drugs were playing Russian Roulette and risked overdosing.

He returned a verdict of death by non-dependent misuse of drugs.

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