A FORMER heroin addict died after taking a cocktail of drugs and alcohol when he was deeply depressed because his mother had cancer.

But coroner Michael Singleton concluded there were "compelling reasons" to believe that Samuel Brodie had not intended to take his own life.

He heard from Mr Brodie's brother, John, that he was not that kind of person but said even more persuasive was the fact that Mr Brodie had an unopened packet of anti-depressant pills and nine diazepam tablets in his possession when he died.

"Had he intended to take his own life he would have taken all the tablets he had access to, rather than a limited number," said Mr Singleton, who returned a verdict of misadventure.

Mr Brodie, 35, of Belgrave Road, Darwen, had fought against heroin addiction over a number of years. At the time of his death he was not receiving methadone, the heroin substitute, but was prescribed diazepam and anti-depressant pills on the day of his death. The doctor warned him not to take the anti-depressants with alcohol and the unopened packet was in his pocket when he died.

James Houghton, of Clement Street, Darwen,said he had known Mr Brodie for 10 years. On the day of his death Mr Brodie came to his house, clearly depressed over his mother's illness.

Mr Houghton said his friend wanted to talk and they sat in the front room drinking. Mr Brodie told him he had taken some methadone and the next thing he collapsed on the floor and his lips turned blue. He was dead when paramedics arrived.

A post mortem examination revealed moderate levels of methadone, alcohol and diazepam which would have had a cumulative effect.

Mr Singleton said police investigations revealed that Mr Brodie had exchanged some of his diazepam tablets for the methadone on the day of his death.

"It is quite possible that his judgment was impaired because of the stress he was under because of his mum," he added.