Pubdate: Thu, 02 Aug 2012
Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.mrtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372
Author: Sylver McLaren

ECSTASY SUSPECTED IN YOUNG WOMAN'S DEATH

A 21-Year-Old Maple Ridge Woman Is Dead After a Night of Partying

Another young Maple Ridge person has died from what appears to be a 
drug overdose after a night of partying.

Mounties and the coroner are investigating the sudden death of a 
21-year-old woman after emergency services were called to an 
apartment during the early morning hours of Sunday - after a 
Saturday-night party.

The young woman was found unresponsive and rushed to hospital in 
serious condition. She died two days later.

"This is a very sad case," said Ridge Meadows RCMP Supt. Dave Walsh.

"Initial information indicates the consumption of alcoholic beverages 
and illicit drugs may have played a prominent role in the death of 
this young woman," he explained.

"Police are working closely with health care professionals and the 
coroner on determining what caused this death."

The superintendent followed up those comments with a warning.

"Any illicit drug is manufactured in backroom labs with no quality 
control, so the user has no idea what they are getting," he said.

"Ecstasy and methamphetamine are almost identical in chemical 
composition, are made with almost all of the same chemicals and both 
are extremely dangerous."

It has been alleged the victim ingested some MDMA (also known as 
ecstasy) during a night of partying.

A similar tragedy happened in July 2008, when 16-year-old Shannon 
Raymond died after mixing alcohol and two pills of ecstasy.

In that case, Victoria Turley was charged with failing to provide the 
necessities of life when Raymond overdosed in her home. Turley was 
acquitted in March.

Raymond had been drinking and taken ecstasy on the night of July 25, 
2008, as she and a group of friends celebrated a birthday on a party 
bus. Raymond later ended up at Turley's residence, where she was 
later found unresponsive and rushed to hospital and pronounced dead.

MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to 
the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. It 
produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth, 
and distortions in time, perception, and tactile experiences.

It is taken orally, usually as a capsule or tablet, and has been 
popular with young people at all-night parties, or raves. The drug 
can be dangerous and, on rare occasions, become lethal.

It has many of the same physical effects as other stimulants, and can 
increase one's heart rate and blood pressure, as well as other 
symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, 
blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating.

For more information in regards to MDMA or other illegal drugs, local 
police are recommending people visit 
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/docas-ssdco/guide-kid-enf/toc-tdm-eng.htm 
and read up on the effects.

Police also urge parents to learn about the dangers of drugs and to 
talk with their children about any use, as even a first-time 
experiment with them can result in death or a serious health consequence.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom