THE mother of a 20-year-old Malvern man who died from the effects of heroin has called for more help for parents nave about drug-taking.

Patricia Davies spoke out after the inquest in Worcester on Wednesday into the death of her son Ross Mason.

Ross, of Pickersleigh Road, who was due to celebrate his 21st birthday on Tuesday (May 7), was found slumped in an armchair at friend John Mason's Cowleigh Road flat on November 15 last year.

The painter and decorator, an epileptic, had suffered a fit the previous evening but had been made comfortable before falling asleep at 12.30am.

He was found dead 12 hours later and a post mortem showed heroin and alcohol in his body, as well as cannabis and cocaine.

Pathologist Dr Terry Jones said he had died of Bronchopneumo-nia brought on by large heroin doses.

"I was talking to Ross before Christmas about his 21st and he was so excited - now my son's dead," said Mrs Davies after the inquest.

"I had an inkling what was going on, but if I'd realised how bad it was, I'd have done something. More needs to be done to show parents what to look for."

Coroner Victor Round recorded a verdict of death of non-dependent use of drugs.