A coroner issued a stark warning over the dangers of drugs use after hearing how a promising young footballer died after becoming addicted to heroin.

John Courtney, 21, who was once the target of Newcastle United scouts, was found slumped in his uncle's flat with a syringe in his hand.

His family have pledged to do all they can to rid the North-East of drugs to stop others dying in the same way as their son.

And their plea was echoed yesterday by Newcastle Coroner David Mitford, who said: "The more publicity that can be given to killer substances like this, the better."

The inquest heard how former Newcastle United trainee John, of Losh Terrace, Walker, Newcastle, had moved into his uncle Terrence Courtney's flat, in Newcastle, after falling out with his parents, Angie and John, over his drug-taking.

Mr Courtney, an alcoholic, warned his nephew about his drug-taking, but said in a statement yesterday that he didn't know how much he was taking.

On the evening of Friday, April 1, this year, the pair were sitting in the flat when John went out for ten minutes.

When he came back, Mr Courtney said, John's eyes "had gone funny like when he was on drugs".

Mr Courtney woke at about 8am the next day and found John slumped in the corner with his top off, still clutching a syringe.

Angie Courtney, 46, said: "We must go to the schools and other places to educate people about drugs.

" I just wish we could get rid of them and get them off the streets."