Pubdate: Thu, 08 Sep 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Louise Dickson, CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

13-YEAR-OLD WHO TOOK BAD DRUG DIED NEEDLESS DEATH, FAMILY
SAYS

'Could Have Been Crystal Meth Overdose'

VICTORIA -- The family of Mercedes-Rae Clarke wants people to know the
13-year-old died a needless death.

A family member yesterday described Mercedes as a loving, beautiful
girl who valued family and friends and liked dancing and shopping.

"She was a petite, beautiful 13-year-old," he said. "She was a sparkle
in everyone's eyes. She is loved beyond anybody's thoughts and will
live in everyone's mind. To have this happen was totally unfair."

Mercedes, who was about to start Grade 9 at Oak Bay High School, died
in Victoria General Hospital from what could have been an overdose of
crystal meth, said Richard Stanwick, chief medical health officer for
Vancouver Island.

Mercedes and two friends bought what they thought was ecstasy. But
Mercedes became violently ill. The others girls were unharmed.

"Her family want people to know this was not an allergic reaction,"
said Stanwick. "It was an amphetamine. Their message is that this was
not an atypical reaction. It's just that she got some really bad stuff."

Stanwick is worried there may be a bad batch of ecstasy on the street
that will kill others.

"We're going to be keeping an eye out for this," said Stanwick.
"Because ecstasy is regularly laced with crystal meth, I wonder if
this was some sloppy chemistry. You wonder if there was one really bad
pill in the batch or if there are others that were mis-mixed."

In Vancouver in recent weeks, super-strong heroin killed eight
seasoned addicts.

Stanwick said a recent accident on the Malahat was linked to
drugs.

"The people in the van had bought a white powder and fell asleep," he
said. "They could have driven off the cliff. You think you might be
buying an upper and you end up taking a downer. It's definitely a game
of roulette when you make these purchases. Your first purchase could
be your last."

Mercedes probably took a pill with a really high concentration of the
amphetamine. Some people are more sensitive than others to the effect
of drugs, he said.

"It's a matter of the wrong person getting the wrong amount of
substance and having the absolute worst outcome."

Coroner Lisa Lapointe said toxicology tests have been ordered.

"It's devastating and you want every child to hear about it and
hopefully learn about it," she said. "Teenagers are so naive."

At Oak Bay High yesterday, Mercedes' school friends were sad and angry
at her sudden death.

"I really wanted to get to know her better," said Caitlan Vinkle, 13.
"I found it really hard to concentrate today."

"I'm [ticked] off at the drug dealers," said Emily Coldwell. "She was
only 13. I don't think she knew what she was in for."

Another student said the girls who were with Mercedes were not at
school. "They're at home," said the student. 
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