A MAN died on Christmas Day after injecting methadone, an inquest was told.
Peter John Collins, aged 43, of Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, had been drinking heavily on Christmas Eve with his friend, Geoffrey Lee Guffogg.
After buying and drinking cans of strong lager they visited a Bradshaw pub and then went to Mr Collin's flat and spent the rest of the evening drinking.
During the night Mr Guffogg prepared his methadone for injection, filling a separate syringe which he placed in a cupboard.
The next day Mr Guffogg found Mr Collins unconscious and the syringe was missing.
Pathologist Dr Davis Bisset said a port mortem examination revealed alcohol and methadone in Mr Collins's blood and he had at least one needle mark in his arm.
Alan Walsh, assistant deputy coroner, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said many people considered methadone a safer option to heroin, but often take it without realising the possible consequences.
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