Pubdate: Thu, 08 Sep 2005 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Louise Dickson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) 'A SPARKLE IN EVERYONE'S EYE' Family, Friends Grieve For 13-Year-Old Who Died After Ingesting Street Drug The family of Mercedes-Rae Clarke wants people to know the 13-year-old Victoria teenager died a needless death. A family member, who didn't want to be named, described her as a loving, beautiful girl who valued family and friends, and who liked dancing and shopping. "She was a petite, beautiful 13-year-old. 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," he said. Mercedes-Rae, who was about to start Grade 9 at Oak Bay high school, died in Victoria General Hospital, from what could have been an overdose from a form of crystal meth, said Richard Stanwick, chief medical health officer for Vancouver Island. She and two friends bought and ingested what they thought was the drug ecstasy. Mercedes-Rae became violently ill. The other girls were unharmed. "Her family want people to know this was not an allergic reaction," said Stanwick. "Their message is that this was not an atypical reaction. It's just that she got some really bad stuff." Stanwick is worried a bad batch of ecstasy may be on the street -- a batch that will kill other people. "Because ecstasy is regularly laced with crystal meth, I wonder if this was some sloppy chemistry," said Stanwick. "You wonder if there was one really bad pill in the batch or if there are others that were mis-mixed." This is the third time in three weeks that people have unsuspectingly bought drugs that have turned out to be something else, he said. Stanwick was referring to a cluster of deaths in Vancouver where eight streetwise addicts died from ultra-pure heroin, and to an accident on the Malahat where a van crashed into a rock face. "The people in the van had bought a white powder and fell asleep. They could have driven off the cliff," said Stanwick. "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-Rae probably took a pill with a high concentration of amphetamine. "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 to find out what killed the young girl. "Her death is related to a substance she ingested," said Lapointe. "It's devastating and you want every child to hear about it and hopefully learn about it. Teenagers are so naive." At Oak Bay high Wednesday afternoon, Mercedes-Rae's 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 pissed off at the drug dealers," said Emily Coldwell. "She was only 13. I don't think she knew what she was in for." Mercedes-Rae attended Central middle school last year. A service will be held at the school, 1280 Fort St., on Friday at 3:45 p.m. - ---