1. Drug-related death a Coroner’s perspective
Nigel Parsley, Assistant Coroner, Suffolk.

2. The identification of a drug-related death for coronial purposes.
1. the deceased takes a single ‘one-off’ dose of a drug resulting in death
2. substantive cause of death was the result of complications following a long-term general pattern of drugs misuse
3. a situation were a regular user of drugs dies from an acute overdose rather than any known complication

3. The evidence required.
A drug-related death can never be presumed and must be affirmatively proved.
As such there must be unambiguous evidence that links death to drug misuse.

4. Legal burden of proof.
Drug-related deaths coming before the coroner are decided on the balance of probabilities.

5. Short form conclusions.
There are now an agreed set of ‘short form’ conclusions available to the coroner.
These being suicide, misadventure, accidental death, drug/alcohol related death, industrial disease, road traffic collision, lawful/unlawful killing, natural causes and an open conclusion.
The Chief Coroner has stated that wherever possible a ‘short form’ conclusion should be used.

6. Narrative conclusion.
As an alternative to a ‘short form’ conclusion a coroner may record a brief narrative conclusion.
A narrative conclusion is a brief, neutral, factual statement which does not express any judgement or opinion (except in Article 2 Human Rights Act inquests when some judgmental language is allowed).

7. What other conclusions are sometimes used in drug-related cases?
Misadventure
Accidental death
Open

8. How can the Coroner’s Service assist in drug-death prevention?
The Suffolk Coroners Service is an active participant in the Suffolk Lives Matter suicide prevention initiative.
As part of the initiative our coroner’s officers aim to provide early identification of emerging trends in suicide (geographic, demographic and methodological).
Once identified, trends are disseminated to key stakeholders front line managers to assist in a more targeted deployment of resources.
This allows for a more timely and targeted local response not dependant on national statistics which are, by their nature, historic when published.
A process to identify and enhance ‘intelligence pathways’ is currently being developed with Public Health England, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Constabulary and other key stakeholders.

9. Any Questions?