Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Jason Houghton

Ref: 2015-0127 Date: 30 Mar 2015 Coroner: Alan Walsh Area: Manchester (West) Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The unregulated online supply and international importation of Class A drugs, specifically Diacetyl Morphine/Heroin in pill form via postal systems, poses a significant risk of future deaths.

Date 30 Mar 2015

56-day deadline 25 May 2015 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Product related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The unregulated online supply and international importation of Class A drugs, specifically Diacetyl Morphine/Heroin in pill form via postal systems, poses a significant risk of future deaths.

View full coroner's concerns

In the circumstances it is my statutory to report to you: During the Inquest Evidence was heard that: Diacetyl Morphine is another name for Diamorphine, which is another name for Heroin. The above evidence was given by who is the Deputy Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Governance at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and who provides advice to the North West Ambulance Service in relation to the application of medicines Legislation and the use of medicines by Paramedics in pre-hospital setting: The Diacetyl Morphine was provided in 'Pill' form and the suggestion at the Inquest was that the Pill could be dissolved and used intravenously, although it was not known whether Jason had used Diacetyl Morphine in that manner, but the Diacetyl Morphine would explain the presence of Heroin in Jason's blood at time of death, bearing in mind there was no evidence that he had previously used Heroin_
ii. The evidence indicated that Jason had also received a supply of some of the drugs in the form of samples provided by sources using the internet, although it was not possible to identify the specific which had been supplied as a sample: iii There is no regulation of the supply of drugs by use of the internet and there is no protection in place in relation to the importation of drugs using the internet with delivery from an international source to a United Kingdom postal address by use of the postal system:
iv. The evidence raised concerns that future deaths will occur unless action is taken to review the above issues, particularly in view of the supply of illicit Class A Drugs, Heroin; in the form of Diacetyl Morphine; by use of the internet: 2_ I request for you to consider the above concerns particularly in regard to the following: - The supply and importation of Class A Drugs, in the manner and in form described in this report, by use of the internet The_regulation of the internet,_if_possible,_in relation to the duty the his drugs being supply of drugs and the delivery of the using International Shipping and the United Kingdom postal system:

Responses

1 respondent

Home Office Central Government

2 May 2015 PDF

Action Taken

The Home Office acknowledges concerns about online drug supply, notes ongoing efforts by law enforcement to close UK-based websites and work with international partners. Since the death, the MHRA closed down the website Wmedipk com. (AI summary)

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MFCEIVED 2 2 MAY 2015 Rt Hon Mike Penning MP Minister for Policing; Home Office Crime and Criminal Justice 2 Marsham Street London SWIP 4DF

Alan P Walsh H.M Area Coroner - Manchester West H.M: Coroner's Court Paderborn House Howell Croft North, Bolton BL1 1QY Ue~ INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF JASON HOUGHTON REGULATION 28 REPORT Thank you for your letter of 30 March to the Home Secretary about the tragic death of Jason Houghton from the combined toxic effects of ketamine, heroin, diazepam and dextromethorphan. am replying as the Minister for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice with responsibility for drug policy: note your request for action concerning: the supply and importation of Class A Drugs by use of the internet; and ii_ the regulation of the internet, if possible, in relation to the supply of drugs and the delivery of the drugs using international shipping and the UK postal system: This is clearly a Very tragic case and am grateful to you for raising these issues with me. Law enforcement agencies and 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 small overall element of drug supply: the 2013/14 Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that just % of adults who used drugs in the last 12 months sourced them from the internet: The National Crime Agency (NCA); the police and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) 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. can confirm that; since Mr Houghton's death, the MHRA has examined the website Wmedipk com and found that other prescription-only medicines were being offered without a required prescription and liaised with the internet service provider to close it down: As in this case, 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. In addition; Border Force officers are on constant alert to keep controlled drugs from entering the country: The associated enforcement response includes intelligence-led examination of packages and letters sent by post to intercept the importation of controlled substances Working together with law enforcement partners, this activity is co-ordinated by the NCA who are continuing to enhance the security of our borders and lead the fight against serious, organised and complex crime. hope that this letter addresses your concerns. CL_ (entass Rt Hon Mike Penning MP

Report sections

Circumstances of the death

Jason Houghton died at Room 124, Leigh Sports Village Hotel, Atherleigh Way, Leigh, Wigan on the 30t June 2014.
2. Prior to this death Jason Houghton has been a Registered Paramedic with the North West Ambulance Service but on the 26th February 2014 he resigned from his position and he was known to have an addiction to Benzodiazepines: Jason was known to be obtaining Benzodiazepines and medical equipment from suppliers using the internet but there was no evidence that Jason used his Paramedic Licence to obtain supplies, nor did he obtain any supplies from the North West Ambulance Service: Jason was known _to obtain equipment__including syringes and cannulae May, the from Medtree the internet and he obtained supplies of drugs the Pakistani Health and Care Mall using the internet
5. On the 30* June 2014 Jason was found on the bed in Room 124 at the Leigh Sports Village Hotel with a cannula inserted in his foot attached to a 'home made' drip consisting of a bag of Sodium Chloride (0.5 that was connected by a long; thin, flexible tube into the cannula_ On a small table next to the bed there were two syringes and four sterile eye wash solutions. The smaller syringe was empty and connected to a Hypodermic Needle whilst the second was a larger syringe that was not connected to a hypodermic needle and the second syringe was full of a clear solution: On the floor by the side of the bed was a small bin which contained a sealed plastic on top of the plastic there were three discarded vials of Valium and the sealed plastic bag contacted ten further vials of Valium, as well as a quantity of used needles and syringes: There was no evidence at the Inquest that Jason had ever used Heroin at any time during his life but evidence was given that he had used Benzodiazepines, including Diazepam, and Ketamine at various times prior to this death
7. Evidence was produced at the Inquest in the form of order confirmations and invoices from the Pakistani Health and Care Mall which showed that Jason had obtained the following drugs by use of the Internet: - Calypsol Ketamine Hydrochloride ii_ Valium (Diazepam) iii, Ketamax
iv. Diacetyl Morphine Morphine Sulphate
vi. Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) vii: Xanax viii: Ketarol
8. The above drugs were ordered by use of the internet and the drugs were delivered to Jason's home address, via 'Hong Kong Shipping' , by post in padded envelopes: A selection of the drugs was delivered to Jason's address after his death and his father opened the envelope to find the drugs within the envelope: When Jason placed the orders by using the internet he did not have to either identify himself or give any reasons for use of drugs and there were no checks in relation to the contents of the envelope upon entry to the United Kingdom and prior to receipt by him; The information at Inquest was that the drugs were imported from Hong_Kong and_ order forms state the shipping method to be 'Hong using from 9%) bag; bag the the the the

Kong Shipping' .

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Report details

Reference: 2015-0127
Date of report: 30 March 2015
Coroner: Alan Walsh
Coroner area: Manchester (West)

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 25 May 2015 (estimated).

Sent to

Home Office

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.