A CORONER has warned of the dangers of keeping unused medication after the death of young Southampton man.

Jordan Collett, 22, died at Southampton General Hospital on November 11 after mixing alcohol and drugs at a friend’s leaving party.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard the carpenter from Marne Road in Bitterne, who was a keen Saints fan and was training as a boxer, had been drinking with his dad Paul after seeing Saints play Watford at St Mary’s before heading to a house party in Shirley.

There, the inquest heard he continued drinking and consumed cocaine and a painkiller prescribed to patients in their final weeks of life.

Pathologist Dr Eleanor Jaynes said although the levels of each substance were not in themselves fatal, the combined effect was.

Deborah Hayes-Baker, whose son – Bradley Hayes – was hosting the party as he was due to emigrate to Australia, said the pills had belonged to Bradley’s great aunt before she passed away, and she had not got round to taking them to the pharmacy.

Recording a conclusion of drug and alcohol-related death, senior coroner Grahame Short warned relatives to depose of such dangerous medication properly to avoid such tragedies.

Mr Short said: “I think this case does illustrate the dangers of leaving unused medication after someone has died.

“It’s important that when such drugs are unused, they are returned to the pharmacy and destroyed to prevent this kind of death.”

Daily Echo:

Paul Collett (left) and his son Jordan

Mr Collett’s dad paid tribute following the inquest. He said: “He was a fun-loving guy and he loved to smile. He was well loved. It is just tragic.”

He added around 600 people attended his son’s funeral, and following his death more than 30 people played in a football match in his memory.

Daily Echo:

Family and friends played football in memory of Jordan Collett following his death last November

Jordan was a member of the AFC Gulf Western, which organised the memorial match. Team manager Stefano Centola said at the time: “We wanted to pay tribute to him. He was a very nice young boy which nowadays is hard to find. He was a very good player.”