Pubdate: Sat, 21 Jan 2012
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948

FIRST ECSTASY, THEN OBLIVION

Ecstasy can kill you. Can that message be driven home any more 
acutely than it has in communities in B.C. and Alberta?

In recent weeks, the popular man-made drug has taken several lives 
and is responsible for another that hangs in the balance. The drugs 
were laced with paramethoxy-metamphetamine.

On Nov. 27, Tyler Miller, 20, took ecstasy. He was a gifted 
Abbotsford musician and student, with great career plans. It's all 
over. He was dead in eight hours.

On Dec. 19, 17-year-old Cheryl McCormack of Abbotsford ingested 
ecstasy with some friends   ostensibly as a weight-loss aid. She 
became unresponsive and, three days later, she died. She was a 
bright, fun and athletic teen.

On New Year's Eve, a 24-year-old Abbotsford woman engaged in 
"recreational" use of ecstasy with three friends. By 6 a.m., she was 
in critical condition in hospital, where she remains.

The grief and suffering of the family and friends of these victims is 
excruciating. In that context, it is such cruel irony, considering 
ecstasy is known for inducing euphoria and a sense of well-being.

It's chemical Russian roulette. You can feel good and survive, 
perhaps many times. Or you can end up dead.

It doesn't take prolonged use or abuse of ecstasy to court disaster. 
Ecstasy, or MDMA, is notorious for being laced with other drugs, 
including ketamine, methamphetamine and cocaine.

Depending on the circumstances, the physiology of the user and other 
factors, the mix can be lethal. It seems an insane risk, yet ecstasy 
is popular among a segment of young people who have so much to lose.

Please   parents, teachers, police   speak with your children, your 
students, your young contacts. Teens, counsel your peers who may be 
tempted to use ecstasy or are already using it.

Give them the cold facts. Implore them to think, to make good decisions.

Black Press
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