CUTTTING his use of illicit drugs may have made a Southampton father less tolerant and led to his death, an inquest heard.

Jason Durden became unresponsive after he collapsed in his flat in front of a friend.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard that the 45-year-old, of Ascupart Street, Southampton, had a history of drug use and also suffered from depression and anxiety.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he later died at Southampton General Hospital.

Pathologist Dr Jeffrey Theaker told the inquest that Mr Durden had morphine present in his blood - a breakdown product of heroin - as well as small amounts of cocaine.

He added that due to the speed of Mr Durden’s death that he could have suffered from arrhythmia in his heart caused by the cocaine, and confirmed that if Mr Durden had been abstaining from drug use prior to the incident this would impact his tolerance.

“I think it is reasonable to conclude that it was either heroin or cocaine or a combination of the two that led to his death,” he said.

Mr Durden’s former partner Nusrat Nawaz said: “When I first met Jason he was a jolly, happy guy. I noticed a complete change in personality. I found him hard to deal with. I realise now that Jason was suffering.

“He was a good dad to our daughter. When Jason was happy he was very happy, but when he was down he was very down.”

Liz Doyle, of support charity Steps to Wellbeing, told the inquest that Mr Durden had taken up an offer of counselling with the service in the summer of 2016, but had not contacted them again after the sessions had ended in the months leading up to his death on February 3.

She said that he reported that he had benefitted from the work with them.

Senior coroner Grahame Short said: “It is clear that he had a history of drug use and I think it would be right to say a consequence of this were some mental health issues.

“I think he had reduced his use of illicit drugs which would probably explain why he was less tolerant at the time of his death.”

He added that he did not believe it was a deliberate overdose.

He recorded a conclusion of a drugs-related death from morphine and cocaine toxicity.