The mother of a Cleckheaton man who died from a heroin overdose has made an anguished appeal for more action to turn young people away from taking drugs.

Patricia Crossland, 52, says she wants to spare other families the heartache that she, her husband Richard, 51, and their 21-year-old daughter Louise are suffering.

Her son Jason, 24, who was a van driver for Cleckheaton engineering firm Mintex Don, died in January at the family home in Moorland Mount, Moorside.

His father, who suffered a heart attack last year, found Jason's body in the bathroom.

Mrs Crossland said: "I've read in the newspapers about so many young lads from the Cleckheaton area dying after taking drugs. It's very worrying and sad. It's such a waste of young lives."

She says she is convinced one of the problems is the lack of attractions for young people except going to the pub.

"When I was younger there were coffee bars all around Cleckheaton, and youth clubs.

"We should provide more facilities for young people and warn them about the dangers of drugs from an early age.''

She described Jason as an easygoing, happy-go-lucky person who was always laughing and joking.

The family were devastated when hge revealed his addiction two years ago. He had taken out two large bank loans to feed his habit.

Mrs Crossland, a Jehovah's Witness, said: "It was a big shock. Jason admitted he started taking drugs when he was 16 and had taken all sorts of things including ecstasy.

"Up until that age all was interested in was cricket, and played for clubs in Cleckheaton, East Bierley and Hanging Heaton. But then he started going to raves with friends and started using drugs.

"It never entered our heads he was taking drugs. We had always associated them with down-and-outs.''

Jasonwas placed on methadone and underwent detoxification.

"He seemed to be doing well. He was sleeping, eating properly and putting on weight. We thought he was off heroin for good,'' Mrs Crossland said.

Jason was convicted of drink driving in January and lost his driving job, although Mintex offered him different work.

A further blow came when he was ordered to appear in court in connection with the road accident.

A few hours later, Jason was dead.

Mrs Crossland said: "We don't know if this letter made Jason go back to taking heroin or he had been taking it for some time.

"We will never know."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.