Man, 30 died at his flat of drugs overdose

1:42pm Friday 11th April 2008

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A 30-year-old caterer died after taking a cocktail of prescription and illegal drugs, an inquest was told.

Paul Ian Monks, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was found collapsed at his supported home unit in Emerald Close, Blackburn, on Saturday, January 12.

James Bentley, who shared a flat with Mr Monks, told the hearing that he saw him in the living room at about 2pm on January 12 and shortly afterwards Mr Monks fell asleep, snoring loudly.

Mr Bentley described how the snoring stopped abruptly and Mr Monks' lips turned blue and he was unresponsive to resuscitation attempts.

Stephen Nickson, a support worker at the unit, called for an ambulance, but paramedics pronounced Mr Monks dead at the scene.

Dr Richard Prescott, who conducted the post mortem examination on Mr Monks, said that clozapine, a drug prescribed to control the effects of schizophrenia, was found at a significant amount, above the theraputic range.

The prescribed antidepressant citalopram was found at a level above the theraputic level but not toxic and morphine, a derivative of heroin, was found at a non-toxic level.

Also found were possible traces of codeine, cocaine and amphetamine-type drugs.

Dr Prescott also described how Mr Monks' liver showed some fatty change that could have been indicative of chronic alcohol consumption or other causes, such as from being overweight.

He said: "If you combine the effects of these drugs together you get significant respiratory supression.

"The fatty liver may have slowed the metabolism and prolonged their effects."

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

He said: "There is no suggestion in any way that Mr Monks intended to end his own life."