An Oxford widow who lost her husband to drink has spoken out about the lack of care for alcoholics and their families.

Tracy Jarvis' husband of 19 years, Mike, 44, became addicted to alcohol after his parents, a close friend and his wife's brother and mother died.

Unable to cope with his grief he drank until he became ill and collapsed and died in his wife's arms on September 29 last year. He was one of 21 alcohol-related deaths in Oxford last year, compared with nine in 1997.

Mrs Jarvis, 39, of Fernhill Road, Cowley, plans to become an advocate for people suffering from alcoholism, as she believes there is not enough help available for them and their carers.

She said: "The help that we got from the Libra project was brilliant, but I think there's a lot more help for drug addicts than for alcoholics.

"People think of alcoholics as the scum of the earth, but they're not. They've got problems and that's their way of dealing with it. "We had a lot of loss due to cancer in the family -- relatives and friends died and Mike couldn't cope," she said.

"He just couldn't deal with it, his only way was oblivion. He did try to get better. He did fight, but he had enough."

When Mr Jarvis collapsed, she tried to revive him but was un- able to save him.

Patsy Walker, services co-ordinator for The Bridge, a hostel for young people with drug and alcohol problems, agreed that help for alcoholics was scarce.

She said: "A lot comes down to funding. The Government at present does seem to be targeting drugs.

"The trouble is alcohol is socially acceptable, people aren't thought of alcoholics until they're old.

"I don't believe there's enough support. If something isn't done, it will only get worse."

Mr Jarvis had worked as a printer at Oxonian Rewley Press for 26 years and was a volunteer at the Elder Stubbs allotments, helping with gardening and cooking.

His wife said: "He would do anything for anybody regardless of the time, day or night. "He would be there for them, even though he was struggling with his own demons."

Mrs Jarvis, who had known her husband since she was 13, gave up work as an administration officer to care for her husband.

At an inquest into his death at Oxford Coroner's Court comments from his GP Dr Ruth Wilson, of the Temple Cowley Health Centre, were read out.

Dr Wilson said: "He has been very fortunate to have an extremely supportive wife who has helped him through his most difficult times."

Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes largely caused by drinking.

Mrs Jarvis invited anybody who wished to contact her about alcoholism to share their experiences to write to her at 23 Fernhill Road, Cowley, Oxford.