A MAN who suffered with Aspergers, and struggled to cope with depression and back pain, died after taking an overdose of anti-depressants.

Andrew Conway had been living independently in supported accommodation in Blackburn, and was found dead at his home by his support worker on November 25.

At an inquest in Preston, it was heard that Mr Conway, who had a history of substance misuse, used to make GHB, a drug with sedative and anaesthetic effects, in his flat in Preston New Road, after buying ingredients online.

Coroner Richard Taylor said that while toxicology results had revealed an excess of the anti-depressant, Sertraline, such examinations don't normally test for GHB, so it wasn't possible to determine whether Mr Conway also had this in his system at the time of his death.

He said: "We can't say if this drug contributed to his death but if he had taken it it could have contributed to his decision making."

Giving evidence at the inquest, Mr Conway's support worker, June Gallagher said: "I had known Andrew for about two years and used to see him once, maybe twice a week.

"We had a close relationship. He used to call me his second mum.

"He was a character and because of his Aspergers was highly intelligent.

"Round about April he confided in me about the GHB but begged me not to tell anyone, and I kept it to myself for four days before telling my bosses."

Mrs Gallagher also explained how Mr Conway, who was 31, suffered back pain, and depression.

Pathway co-ordinator for Alternative Futures, a person-centred support organisation,Sarah Kissack, said that in April, Mr Conway had been admitted to hospital following an incident where he had been taking drugs.

She said: "He would buy things online and mix them in his flat. This was a massive concern to us and we tried to get every service possible to help with Andrew - social services, mental health teams, GPs - but every avenue we went down they said that he had the capacity to make his own decisions as he was living independently and was so intelligent.

Ms Kissack explained how in August he had made references to wanting to be sectioned and had made plans to take his own life but because of his nature, would then say he wasn't going to follow through with them.

It was heard that he had been refused an increase in anti-depressants by his GP but by November, his outlook had changed and he had appeared more positive.

Sadly Mr Conway was found dead on the floor of his flat on November 25.

His family, who were present at the inquest suggested that Mr Conway had become disillusioned with the lack of support available to him and they believed that by ordering chemicals online and making drugs himself, he had been trying to take matters into his own hands.

Mr Taylor recorded a conclusion of misadventure and said that Mr Conway died after taking an overdose of Sertraline.