Family warn of drink and drug dangers after woman's death

THE family of a woman who died following a combination of drink and drugs have spoken out to warn others of the dangers.

Tammy Louise Platts, 33, was found dead on the sofa of the west Hull flat she shared with her boyfriend Anthony Dunlin on April 14.

An inquest into her death at Hull Coroner's Court heard she had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and had tried to take her own life twice. She had also failed to attend appointments with health professionals.

Tammy, a mother-of-one, was found to have a combination of morphine, methadone and alcohol in her blood.

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Forensic pathologist Dr Charles Wilson, who carried out the post mortem, said the most common source of morphine in the blood is the use of illicit street heroin and there was a "potentially fatal" level found in Tammy's blood.

Tammy's sister Erica, 26, of east Hull, said: "Tammy was a lovely person but chose the wrong path in life.

"She was really well-liked until the drugs got hold of her.

"We want to open people's eyes to how quickly someone's life can go downhill."

The inquest heard Anthony, 33, had left the couple's flat at about 8.30pm the night before Tammy was found dead and visited a friend, Paula Martin.

Paula, who was also friends with Tammy, said she knew the couple had used heroin in the past and Anthony was "slurring his words" that night.

He returned to the flat about an hour-and-a-half later and drank more lager with Tammy before they both fell asleep on the sofa.

The inquest heard Anthony woke the next morning and kissed her forehead but she felt cold and he went to Paula's to ask for help, as he believed Tammy was dead.

Paula returned to the flat with Anthony, who then called an ambulance and attempted to resuscitate her before paramedics arrived and confirmed she had died.

Police were also called to the flat and the inquest heard Anthony was "extremely intoxicated" when they arrived.

PC Richard Bielby said a refuse shoot leading from the balcony of the flat was blocked with rubbish and he saw an open packet of syringes on the top, which were photographed and seized by police.

PC Caroline Atkins said it was "impossible" to communicate with Anthony and Detective Constable Rob Phillips said there were "no suspicious circumstances".

Tammy's mother Linda Franciosy, 57, of west Hull, said: "She was doing really well and then she went downhill again.

"This has devastated our family. She had so much to live for."

The inquest heard Tammy was initially a patient at The Quays medical centre in Hull before receiving treatment through the Journey 2 Recovery (J2R) programme.

Although she had received some help, she regularly failed to attend appointments.

However, on March 14 this year, the inquest heard Tammy was "sober and motivated" when she saw J2R workers and plans were made for alcohol detoxification.

But she failed to attend three appointments before her death.

The inquest heard the level of alcohol found in Tammy's blood was just within the legal drink- drive limit. But the combination of it with morphine and methadone was "likely" to have played a "significant" role in her death.

Coroner Rosemary Baxter said she was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt Tammy had not tried to take her own life and it was a combination of alcohol and other drugs that "proved fatal".

She recorded a verdict of accidental death.