THE devastating death of a York teenager who took drugs which had killed before should stand as a cautionary warning to others, a coroner has said.

Poppy Rodgers, 16, died after taking 4-methylamphetamine, a Class A drug similar to crystal meth at a house in Tang Hall Lane, York.

A combination of the drug and mephedrone and amphetamine caused her death at York Hospital on April 20, 2012, an inquest heard.

York Coroner’s Court was told Poppy was given the drugs by Luke Carey, 25, who said he knew the substance had already caused the death of Acomb man John Causer.

Finding that Poppy, inset, died of a drugs-related death, coroner Donald Coverdale said: “I have no doubt Poppy was a much-loved 16-year-old young lady who unfortunately became involved in the taking of illicit substances.

"I do not suppose anybody involved in the supply or taking of illicit drugs in that household, not least of all Poppy herself, had thought there was going to be a fatal outcome for anyone – although there was some knowledge the substance may have been responsible for a death.

“I do not suppose for one moment Poppy fully appreciated she was going to be putting her life in danger when she took the substance.

“All too often people will take drugs without knowing what they are taking or the strength of what they are taking.

“I hope those tempted to use such substances will take note of the disastrous outcomes that can occur. Poppy Rodgers lost her life and it’s devastating for her family.”

The inquest heard a statement from a friend of Poppy, who said she had warned her not to take the drugs from Carey at the house in Tang Hall Lane where she was staying.

A statement from Dr James Rowe told how a team of doctors and nurses at York Hospital fought to resuscitate Poppy for 40 minutes after she suffered a heart attack and stopped breathing shortly after midnight on April 20.

Another individual who visited the hospital to see how she was also collapsed from the effects of drugs.

Carey was jailed for more than six years in August.

Police found nearly 100g of 4-methylamphetamine buried in his garden, which he claimed had been put there by others.

After he was jailed Poppy’s father Mark, with her mother Ann at his side, spoke outside the courtroom to say what had happened felt like murder.

“Carey gave this poison to my little girl in full knowledge that it had already killed,” he said.

“She was naturally beautiful. She was full of fun and totally trusting. There is now a hole in the world that will be there for years to come that should have been filled by her magic.”

He said: “There are other people who should feel some responsibility for what happened to Poppy.

“Adults who should know that when a teenage girl is lost, as they often are, you should point her back to the safety of her family, not encourage them to stay away or conceal them.”