Coroner raises alarm after Stockport man's death
A campaigning charity has spoken out after a coroner raised urgent concerns about the 'unrestricted availability of alcohol' on delivery apps following a man's tragic death. Joseph Cooper died in a fall after he 'placed himself' outside a window of his third-floor flat in Stockport. He was 28 and 'profoundly intoxicated' at the time.
An inquest into his death heard he was able to order large quantities of alcohol via online delivery services and have them 'delivered to his door quickly', including on occasions when he was 'already obviously intoxicated'. Coroner Chris Morris has now written to the Government to voice a series of concerns and call for urgent action to be taken to prevent future deaths.
Regulations 'woefully out of date'
Reacting to the case, Alcohol Change UK said regulations 'have not kept pace with the boom in delivery services and are woefully out of date'. In April, research by the charity found one in five – or more than 12 million – adults in the UK were using rapid order and delivery services to buy alcohol at least once a week. The research further found seven million people reported ordering alcohol while already drunk, while three million expressed worry about someone else’s increasing alcohol consumption because of delivery apps.
The charity, which is behind the Dry January movement, said the findings showed 'rapid delivery of alcohol at the tap of a button is making it easier to drink more than we intend to and harder to cut back'.
Campaign for safeguards
Alcohol Change UK's End the delivery trap campaign is calling on the Government to introduce safeguards on delivery services, including age verification and 'intoxication checks', limiting the hours when alcohol can be bought on the apps, restricting the frequency of orders and enabling individuals and their loved ones to block access to alcohol on delivery services.
Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK, said regulations 'have not kept pace with the boom in delivery services and are woefully out of date'. The charity is lobbying the Government for urgent change as a result and is urging people to contact their MP.
'Joseph's story is a reminder of how urgent this is'
Mr Piper told the Manchester Evening News: 'Our thoughts are with Joseph's loved ones and all those affected by his death. While we can't comment on the specific circumstances of this case, the concerns raised by the coroner about rapid alcohol deliveries deserve attention. Fast alcohol, straight to our doors and available round-the-clock, combined with weak and inconsistent safeguards, create a situation in which consumption can spiral out of control, causing more and more harm.'
'Our research indicates that these services are making it harder for people to cut back, especially those drinking at more harmful levels. Being under the influence more frequently and more severely, limits opportunities for people to take positive steps to get their drinking back under control. And, rapid deliveries accelerate the process whereby lighter drinkers become heavier drinkers, and heavier drinkers end up experiencing alcohol dependency or worse.'
'Regulations have not kept pace with the boom in delivery services and are woefully out of date. The Government has the power to change this, and we're working closely with relevant departments to explore modern, practical and proportionate measures that would protect, improve and save lives. Joseph's story is a reminder of how urgent this is.'
Inquest conclusion
Mr Morris said Mr Cooper's death was 'contributed to by the co-occurring conditions of depression and alcohol dependence syndrome'. He recorded a narrative conclusion at the inquest, that 'Mr Cooper died as a consequence of complications arising from injuries sustained in a fall from a height and profound intoxication in the context of unmet mental health needs'.
