Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jan 2012
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Abbotsford News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Vikki Hopes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

ANOTHER ECSTASY OVERDOSE IN ABBOTSFORD

Woman Battles for Her Life

A 24-year-old Abbotsford woman is battling for her life after 
ingesting ecstasy with three friends on New Year's Eve.

Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said the woman, whose name has 
not been released, was at a home in the 33700 block of George 
Ferguson Way when she became unconscious and unresponsive.

She was treated on scene at about 6 a.m. on New Year's Day by BC 
Ambulance and Abbotsford Fire Rescue personnel before being 
transported to hospital.

MacDonald said the women, ages 23 to 31, took "numerous" blue ecstasy 
pills throughout the evening, starting at the residence. They then 
went out for the night and returned to the home, ingesting the last 
pills at about 4 a.m.

The friends indicated that the victim consumed more pills than they 
did, MacDonald said.

This is the second ecstasy overdose in Abbotsford in less than two 
weeks. Cheryl McCormack, 17, died Dec. 22 after having taken ecstasy 
with three other friends at a sleep-over on Dec. 19.

McCormack's friends indicated that the girls had been taking the 
drug, which can suppress appetite, to aid in weight loss.

In the latest case, the women were using ecstasy solely as a 
recreational drug, MacDonald said.

He said police want the public to be aware of the risks of using illicit drugs.

"My concern is that, for whatever reason, it (ecstasy) is in vogue 
right now .. Either this is gaining popularity in our city or people 
who are supplying it are marketing it more ... or doing something to 
ensure it's getting out there more."

Police are trying to track down the source of the drug in the two overdoses.

Ecstasy, usually taken in pill form, is referred to as the "love 
drug" because of the euphoric and relaxed feelings it produces.

However, because ecstasy is man-made, its contents and quality can 
vary, according to Health Canada. It is sold as a tablet, capsule or 
powder. The tablets are often stamped with a logo and are sold in 
different colours.

It is similar to stimulant drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine 
and can contain traces of other substances such as LSD, PCP or meth, 
as well as soaps and detergents, the agency says.

The drug causes an increase in body temperature, blood pressure and 
heart rate, which can lead to kidney or heart failure, strokes and 
seizures, according to Health Canada.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom