Pubdate: Thu, 23 May 2002
Source: Middletown Press (CT)
Copyright: 2002 Middletown Press
Contact:  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1645
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/586
Author: Amy L. Zitka
Note: The Associated Press contributed to this story

ECSTACY LINKED TO TEEN DEATH

EAST HAMPTON -- East Hampton High School students on Wednesday were 
mourning the death of fellow student Makayla Korpinen, which has been 
linked to the use of Ecstasy.

Korpinen, a sophomore, was pronounced dead at around 4:15 p.m. 
Tuesday at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Sgt. Garritt 
Kelly of the East Hampton Police Dept. said. The Stevenson Road teen, 
hospitalized since Saturday, had been in very critical condition, he 
said. Korpinen suffered medical distress associated with using a form 
of Ecstasy at a weekend party, the sergeant added.

An autopsy Wednesday found that Korpinen died of complication of 
intoxication. A spokesman in the medical examiner's office said the 
substance has not been determined.

Korpinen had been at a house party in someone else's home on Friday, 
Kelly said. Medical services were called around 11 a.m. Saturday, and 
the teen was brought to Middlesex Hospital, the sergeant said. She 
was subsequently flown by Life Star helicopter to the children's 
hospital.

"The (police) investigation is in the early stages," Kelly said, but 
officers have "first-hand witness accounts of the use."

"We're interviewing everybody that was at the party," he said. "There 
were others using drugs, but no other medical issues. This is the 
most severe scenario -- the only one resulting in a death."

Part of the criminal investigation is determining where she got the 
drugs, Kelly said.

"All who knew Makayla said she was a very special person," School 
Superintendent John DeGennaro said Wednesday. Counselors were 
available at the school Wednesday, and will be there again today, he 
said. "We're just deeply saddened."

"She had a beautiful spirit and was really a shining star in the 
school," Principal Linda Berry said.

Students gathered outside the North Maple Street high school near 
memorial rock, which honors students who have died in the school 
community, she said. Poems were also read, and it was a chance for 
students to reflect, Berry added. Ecumenical Council representatives 
were also available Wednesday.

The flag was flown at half-staff and Taps was played during the 
memorial program. Students were also able to write tributes to the 
teen on papers posted around the school, Berry said.

"She had a nice group of friends. She was loyal to them and was a 
good listener," Berry said. "She crossed a lot of social circles. She 
had friends in the ninth to twelfth grades."

"At this point we're supporting the students and parents to focus on 
helping them get through this," the principal said.

Ecstasy, also known as XTC or E, affects serotonin, a brain chemical 
that regulates mood, emotion, sleep, appetite, memory and sexual 
behavior. The drug typically induces feelings of euphoria, increased 
energy and is also said to suppress the need to eat, drink or sleep, 
making it possible to endure parties for two or three days.
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