Samuel Duckworth
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2014-0456
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 15 Dec 2014
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
15 Dec 2014
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner S Concerns
The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows. Mr Duckworth had consulted a psychiatrist and offered help with alcohol withdrawal and psychological therapies for mood swings, anxiety and impulse control. He Was only prescribed a small amount of Diazepam, which infer is because of the risks of abuse_ Yet he had no difficulty in purchasing these prescription only drugs on the internet;, 20 empty packets found at the scene_ No evidence was admitted as to whether such access could be restricted or regulated. The ease of access clearly constitutes an on going risk to the lives of other vulnerable people; whose medication should be medically supervised.
Responses
Response received
View full response
Rt Hon Mike Penning MP Minister of State for Policing; Crime , Criminal Justice and Victims 2 Marsham Street Home Office London SWIP 4DF www; gov,uk/home-office Andrew Harris H.M Area Coroner _ London Inner South Inner South Coroner's Court 1 Tennis Street 5 JUL 2015 London SE1 1YD 27 JUL HMc Jv- INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF SAMUEL DUCKWORTH REGULATION 28 REPORT Thank you for your letter of 20 October 2014 to the Health Secretary about the tragic death of Samuel Duckworth from the combined toxic effects of diazepam, codeine and alcohol. Your letter was transferred to my Department on 26 June 2015, the department of health apologise for this delay. am replying as the Minister for Policing; Crime and Criminal Justice and Victims with responsibility for drug policy: This is clearly a very tragic case and am grateful to you for raising this issue with me. note your request for action concerning the suppiy and importation of prescription only medicines by use of the internet The Government and law enforcement agencies take the issue of unlawful advertising and sales of drugs on the internet very seriously, and we continue to work with internet providers to ensure that they comply with the law. This can include closure of UK-based websites where they are found to be committing offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Online purchasing remains a relatively small overall element of drug supply: the 2013/14 Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that just 1% of adults who used drugs in the last 12 months sourced them from the internet. Auih ` 2015 27o Ante
The National Crime Agency (NCA) the police and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency routinely monitor controlled drugs and medicines being offered for sale on the internet and take action with industry partners to close websites trading illegally in these substances. Where it has been identified, or where there is reasonable suspicion to suggest; that controlled drugs or medicines containing controlled drugs are being sold on websites, law enforcement agencies have the relevant powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to act against suppliers of controlled drugs, whether on controlled drug charges or on suspicion of wider drug-related offences. Considerable illegal activity takes place on the internet outside of UK jurisdiction: The UK continues to work with international partners to develop an effective response to the supply of controlled drugs and to react swiftly to emerging threats. In order to tackle illegally trading websites identified overseas, we are building strong partnerships with international partners There is also ongoing work with the EU and other international regulatory agencies to ensure that; wherever possible, offending websites are amended to comply with the law: Rt Hon Mike Penning MP Kok
The National Crime Agency (NCA) the police and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency routinely monitor controlled drugs and medicines being offered for sale on the internet and take action with industry partners to close websites trading illegally in these substances. Where it has been identified, or where there is reasonable suspicion to suggest; that controlled drugs or medicines containing controlled drugs are being sold on websites, law enforcement agencies have the relevant powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to act against suppliers of controlled drugs, whether on controlled drug charges or on suspicion of wider drug-related offences. Considerable illegal activity takes place on the internet outside of UK jurisdiction: The UK continues to work with international partners to develop an effective response to the supply of controlled drugs and to react swiftly to emerging threats. In order to tackle illegally trading websites identified overseas, we are building strong partnerships with international partners There is also ongoing work with the EU and other international regulatory agencies to ensure that; wherever possible, offending websites are amended to comply with the law: Rt Hon Mike Penning MP Kok
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe that the Secretary of Sate may have or know Who has the power to take such action Hon July, drug The being
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 23rd opened an inquest into the death of: Samuel Duckworth, aged 34 years, died 05.06.14 concluded the inquest at a full hearing on 14th October 2014. The medical cause of death was Diazepam , Codeine and Alcohol intoxication. The court found that he died from a and alcohol related death.
Circumstances of the Death
The circumstances were recorded as: Mr Duckworth was found dead at 16.58 on 05/06/14 in his flat having taken an overdose of Diazepam, Codeine and alcohol _He was an anxious man with poor impulse control and did not intend t0 take his life. Diazepam was purchased on the internet
Similar PFD Reports
Reports sharing organisations, categories, or themes with this PFD
Related Inquiry Recommendations
Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes
Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.