THE death of a young York man to heroin poisoning was "a real tragedy", the city's coroner said today.

Jason James Haskins, who was 22 and lived in Burton Stone Lane, Clifton, died on October 15.

His family were today too upset to talk, other than to describe their loved one's death as "a waste of life".

But York Coroner Donald Coverdale, has said that the seven heroin deaths in the city so far this year are "seven too many".

Mr Coverdale last month warned of the dangers of cheap heroin in York as he presided over the inquests of three heroin users.

The day before the inquests were held, the Evening Press had exclusively revealed the plummeting price of heroin on York's streets - in some cases making it cheaper than soft drug cannabis.

Mr Coverdale said today: "Deaths from heroin invariably seem to be the deaths of young people, young people with their whole lives in front of them.

"Each and every death is a tragedy. Each and every death brings home to everyone the scourge of heroin on the streets.

"Sadly, it is a drug that is increasingly available on streets here and elsewhere."

Mr Coverdale added he felt for the family every time one lost a member to drug misuse.

"Each and every case is extremely sad," he said.

Beat officer for Clifton, PC Daz Sheriston, also described Mr Haskin's death as "tragic".

He said: "All the officers based here at Clifton Moor were aware of his (Mr Haskins') death and were aware that it was as a result of heroin.

"There is a problem with the drug in Clifton - but is not just in Clifton, it is in many parts of York. It is a problem we are working hard to tackle.

"His death, as with any death of any sort, is a real tragedy."

An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday.

Updated: 15:26 Tuesday, October 30, 2001