Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jan 2003
Source: Standard, The (St. Catharines, CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, The Standard
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/stcatharines/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/676
Author: Peter Downs
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

ECSTASY DOSE 'ALMOST KILLED' TEEN

Police charge 18-year-old for allegedly supplying girl with the illegal drug

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. -- What began as a pre-birthday bash for a 15-year-old
Niagara girl nearly turned to tragedy when a dose of the hallucinogenic drug
ecstasy left her barely clinging to life.

And Niagara Regional Police have charged a Hamilton teen for allegedly
supplying the girl with the illegal drug.

Suffering a severe adverse reaction to the potent pill, the girl was rushed
to a London hospital unconscious and in critical condition early Sunday from
Greater Niagara General Hospital in Niagara Falls.

The teen, who was not identified, remains at the hospital, but she is
conscious and her condition is improving, police said Tuesday night.

"It almost killed her. We didn't think she was going to make it," said Staff
Sergeant Jack Redpath of the NRP's Niagara Falls detachment.

The girl's nearly fatal experimentation with ecstasy should serve as a
powerful warning to others to steer clear of the dangerous designer drug,
said police.

"Be aware, because this was a real close call," said Redpath.

Police said the teen and seven friends were booked into a Niagara Falls
hotel Saturday night to celebrate her upcoming 16th birthday. An adult was
staying with them to provide supervision.

The friends had arranged to meet with a man and a small group of
acquaintances, according to police.

It was the man who allegedly supplied ecstasy to the victim and three of her
friends, police said.

The victim began to show signs of an adverse reaction, but the group
reportedly told the adult supervisor she was feeling ill after drinking
alcohol.

When the teen's condition deteriorated further early Sunday morning, her
friends told the adult she had consumed ecstasy and she was taken to
hospital in Niagara Falls, police said.

After an initial assessment and treatment, she was transferred to an
undisclosed hospital in London.

Police said medical staff at the hospital indicated the girl would have died
had she arrived any later.

None of the other youths who took the drug suffered serious reactions.

Marko Todorovic, 18, of Hamilton is charged with trafficking a controlled
substance.

He was released to appear in court in St. Catharines at a later date.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh