LEGALISING CANNABIS IMPLICATIONS CONCERN

Wanganui: Concerns about the implications of decriminalising cannabis were
expressed in Wanganui Coroners Court yesterday.

Coroner Colin Riddet said he was concerned the use of cannabis could lead
people to harder drugs.

He found David John Salisbury (23) died after administering himself a fatal
dose of drugs.

He said he was unable to determine whether Mr Salisbury deliberately
overdosed or accidentally took too much.

The name of the drug Mr Salisbury took was suppressed.

Mr Salisbury's mother, Catherine Salisbury, said her son had been a regular
cannabis user since the age of 10 or 11 and he had also used hard drugs
such as speed and LSD.

He regularly went on alcohol and drug binges, she said.

Mr Salisbury's body was found in the lounge of his mother's home on July
29, 1999 by builders who were working in the house.

Mrs Salisbury was in hospital after suffering an angina attack.

Police said no suicide note was found.