Serious concerns over lack of drug treatment facilities for teenagers following boys death in Harrogate
16-year-old Ben Nelson-Roux was placed into a homeless hostel before he died, as a "last resort"
Last updated 13th Mar 2023
A coroner has raised serious concerns over a lack of drug treatment facilities for teenagers following the death of a teenage boy in Harrogate.
16-year-old Ben Nelson-Roux was found dead by his mum after he was placed into a homeless hostel in 2020.
It was only mean to be for those over 18, but was a "last resort" for Ben, who struggled with drugs and alcohol from a young age.
His mother told the inquest into his death that he'd been groomed by county lines drug dealers.
Concluding the inquest, the coroner questioned why there had not been a search for alternative accommodation for Ben outside of North Yorkshire.
He said he will also be writing to the Government about the lack of residential treatment facilities for under 18s struggling with drug misuse in the UK.
"We will not get answers to Ben's death"- Family
The coroner ruled it was likely Ben died from misuse of multiple drugs, but the cause cannot be full ascertained, because an invasive post-mortem wasn't carried out.
Speaking outside Northallerton Coroners Court, his mum Kate Roux said: "We feel that the coroner's conclusion did not grapple with the complexities of Ben's case, and focused on drugs and alcohol."
"There was no mention of the impact of Ben being a confirmed victory of modern slavery.
"On the day he died, Ben's homeless prevention worker described the accommodation he was in as 'dangerous'
"Unsuitable does not do it justice."
Jodie Anderson, Senior Caseworker at the charity INQUEST, said: "Time and time again we see the concerns of families being ignored, and mental health, police and social services failing to communicate and meet the needs of young people like Ben.
"His death will be added to the long list of children who died trying to access support. Their stories must be the wake up call that leads to proper change and investment in appropriate child-centred, individualistic mental health and drug and alcohol support.
"This must include an urgent culture shift towards listening to family advocates, so they are no longer forced to fight for the lives of people they love.”