A stark warning has been issued over the dangers of buying prescription drugs from illegal online pharmacies after a dad-of-three died when he took a fatal quantity of Xanax.

Following an inquest into the death of Scott Giddy, of Bideford, his family highlighted a need for something to be urgently done to prevent people being able to self-medicate on the internet, especially those who are vulnerable like the 33-year-old.

Xanax pills
Xanax pills

Mr Giddy was described as having had a history or alcohol dependency and drugs misuse, and had also been diagnosed with autism and possible chronic depressive disorder.

His repeat medication had been controlled by his mother, but unknown to her he was also buying Xanax, a brand name for the drug alprazolam, which is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and is the single most prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States.

The inquest at Exeter's County Hall heard he had come off most of his medication and had been addressing his addictions, but was tragically found dead in bed by his girlfriend on December 5, 2017.

A post mortem examination confirmed the cause of Mr Giddy’s death was alprazolam (Xanax) and codeine toxicity. The levels of Xanax fell within the range of those associated with fatalities, and the level of codeine was also within the range of which toxic effects have been reported.

In a statement from his father Roger, he described how Mr Giddy was a genuinely lovely man who was non-judgemental, very caring and charming.

County Hall in Exeter, Devon County Council HQ

However, he told how he had faced struggles all his life. As a child he lived with a speech impediment, mild learning difficulties and profound anxiety which made it a struggle to interact with people.

His health problems meant he was unable to work and turned to alcohol and prescription drugs as a way of coping with life.

He said that after he was diagnosed with autism in November 2016, his life had improved as it enabled him to understand more about his condition.

His father added that he had ‘become quite well’, especially after meeting his current girlfriend.

He recalled the last time he saw him alive was when he came over for Sunday dinner on December 3, when they met his girlfriend for the first time.

“We had such a great afternoon with lots of laughing and talking of the future,” said Mr Giddy. “He planned to come to us for Christmas dinner.”

His girlfriend Stephanie Nixon told in a statement how they had gone to bed at her house shortly after returning home and he had taken some Xanax.

She said: “He bought Xanax off the internet as he said his doctor did not give him enough. Some days he took 20 to 30 pills.”

The following day he stayed in bed all day and when she awoke the next morning on December 5, she found Mr Giddy was unresponsive next to her.

Coroner Philip Spinney concluded Mr Giddy’s death was drug-related.

He said: “The evidence does not point to an intentional overdose. My view is his death was accidental. Scott was vulnerable and availability to purchase Xanax online led to a major part in the circumstances of his death.”

The illicit use of Xanax is becoming more common, especially in teens and young adults. Benzodiazepine deaths accounted for roughly 9,000 deaths in 2015 in America, an increase of almost five percent since 2002.

Hoping other will learn from their son’s death, Roger said: “We are unhappy he was able to buy strong drugs off the internet. From what I have read, I cannot believe it is so easily accessible particularly to someone so vulnerable. Someone should be held responsible.”

He added: “He was a vulnerable person who was autistic. He probably thought xantax would help his anxiety but he probably took too many. He would still be here if he had not been able to get it online.”

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