A 43-year-old man from Ross-on-Wye died from heart disease along with high levels of drugs in his system, an inquest at Hereford Town Hall on Wednesday, August 15th concluded.

Mr Michael Moore, died at his home address on January 4th, 2018, after battling heart disease and an underlying history of drug abuse, both prescribed and non-prescribed.

On the day of his death, Mr Moore was seen driving erratically on his motor scooter in town. On returning home, he complained of feeling unwell and tired, and went to sleep. His brother, David Moore, checked on him and was unable to get a pulse. He put him in the recovery position until the ambulance arrived and administered CPR.

Mr Moore was waiting for an operation to amputate his foot and was receiving prescribed pain killers from Alton Street Surgery, and had been involved with Addaction for many years.

In evidence given by Alton Street Surgery, Dr Lennane said that Mr Moore struggled for many years with smoking and drug use, was in poor health, and over abused inhalers to control his asthma.

The coroner, Mark Bricknell, said:?“The appropriate conclusion is drug related. I find that the deceased died from ischemic heart disease along with the toxicity of buprenorphine.

He added: “Mr Moore had not been taking his medication as prescribed and had pre-existing cardiac disfunctions.”

“I conclude that it was a drug related death, and extend my condolences to the family.”