Cannabis 'addict' hanged himself - inquest

The drug “controlled and ruled” the life of 28-year-old Steven Eatwell, the hearing in Newbury was told on Wednesday, November 20.
But his family spoke, too, of a kind and loving father of two who lived for his children and would do anything for them.
Giving evidence at the inquest, his partner of four years and mother to his young daughter, Julie Napier, told of her horror at finding Mr Eatwell hanging at the home they shared in St Andrews Close, Chaddleworth.
She said that earlier that day, on August 8, they had had an argument over how much dog food to take with them on a trip to Somerset.
The apparently trivial matter triggered a huge row due, said Ms Napier, to Mr Eatwell having quit cannabis to save them money.
She told the inquest: “He had a major addiction to cannabis. It controlled him and ruled his life. He also had anger issues and cannabis was the only thing that would calm him down. He got very angry if he couldn’t smoke it.”
Despite his problems, said Ms Napier, he was a “good Dad” to his daughter and to his son from a previous relationship.
On the day he died, the inquest heard, the pair intended to drive to Somerset on August 6 with the two children and their dog, but the trivial row escalated.
Ms Napier said: “He was in a bad mood - I put it down to the fact he hadn’t had his cannabis.”
She said Mr Eatwell had “smoked his last joint” the night before and added: “He was going cold turkey. He became abusive and wouldn’t calm down.”
In the ensuing row over dog food, said Ms Napier, Mr Eatwell pushed her and she and the children consequently left for Somerset without him.
But she turned back and headed for home after receiving a text in which Mr Eatwell threatened to kill himself and, being subsequently unable to contact him, alerted police.
When she arrived home, Ms Napier said she ran indoors and found Mr Eatwell suspended by his neck from a cord and, unable to cut him down, ran to neighbours for help.
Meanwhile police officers arrived, cut Mr Eatwell down and began cardiopulmonary rescuscitation until paramedics arrived in an air ambulance and took over.
Mr Eatwell’s pulse was restored and he was flown to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.
But he never regained consciousness and he died on August 8.
A post mortem examination showed the cause of death was lack of oxygen to the brain.
Assistant deputy Berkshire coroner Anna Burnside said that, although Mr Eatwell had hanged himself, she could not be sure it was not a cry for help, and recorded an open verdict.