Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2012
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Rochelle Baker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

ECSTASY OVERDOSE SURVIVOR SPEAKS OUT

Hopes Kids Learn From His Mistake

An Abbotsford man who made a "miraculous" recovery after having to be 
placed into a medically induced coma after taking ecstasy is speaking out.

The 24-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous, took the drug while 
at home on the night of March 16 but quickly realized something was 
drastically wrong.

"I did not consider this amount to be extreme at all but quickly 
realized that my situation was life threatening," he said.

"I informed my parents immediately and they rushed me to the hospital."

He was only in the hospital a short time before collapsing.

After being in a coma for three days, the man began to show small 
signs of recovery and improvement.

Following his release from hospital, he and his parents credit the 
attention given to tainted ecstasy and the recent deaths of 
Abbotsford youth Cheryl McCormack and Tyler Miller with saving his 
life, said Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald.

"He had heard the stories in the media and it had been discussed 
numerous times amongst friends," said MacDonald.

"It wasn't enough to stop him from taking the ecstasy on this night 
but it was enough, after taking it, to alert his parents and ask to 
be taken to the hospital."

The young man said during his recovery he came to understand what he 
had put his family and friends though, and he and his family have 
asked the APD to tell their story so it could help others.

The young man feels he was saved by the grace of God for a reason.

"I want my life and this experience to have a positive impact on the 
lives of others," he said.

"With any dose of whatever you may think you are getting, you could 
very easily end up like others who took the risks I did."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom