THE father of an Oxford heroin addict who died while on the road to recovery is pressing for an inquiry into his treatment.

William Edwards was taking methadone tablets for an opiate addiction and was due to start a course of therapy for Hepatitis C when he died last October.

He collapsed at home in Craufurd Road, Cowley, and died at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Paperwork supplied to the General Medical Council said an interim death certificate said he had methadone, alcohol and anti-depressants in his system.

His father Eric Edwards insisted his son had died “wanting to live”.

The 65-year-old knew William was a heavy drinker and had been taking anti-depressants, along with methadone.

He said the 34-year-old had been working with medical staff from Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Trust’s community addiction service to beat his problems.

However, Mr Edwards said he had submitted a complaint to the GMC about his son’s treatment, which had been arranged by a specialist working for the trust.

The GMC said no action had yet been taken on the complaint.

Mr Edwards raised his sons William and Owen alone after being widowed in 1986.

He said: “William had been looking forward to his treatment for Hepatitis C, which he was due to start just four days after his death, but in the interim he was given methadone. He had overcome his needle fixation and we were all so proud of him.

“But everyone around him noticed that he deteriorated quickly on the methadone tablets. After a few months, he was completely garbled.”

Mr Edwards said his son, a former pupil of Peers School, in Littlemore, and a past member of Oxford Sea Cadets, who worked as a volunteer to help pensioners with their shopping, was a good person, even in the grip of heroin and died believing that he would one day lead a normal life.

Mr Edwards said: “William was a good fellow. There was more to him than his drug addiction.

“He cared about others and at the time of his death he was more concerned with looking after others than himself.

“I know how my son viewed his future in the days before his death. Sadly, he died wanting to live, he died hoping to live. He died thinking he was going to live.

“And he died believing he was embarking on a course of treatment and support which would ensure he did. He even said he wanted to get better, so I could have some grandchildren one day.”

The GMC refused to comment on its inquiry.

A spokesman for the mental health trust said William Owen’s case had been subject to an internal review, but patient confidentiality meant it would not comment further.

An inquest is expected to be held in May.