Pubdate: Sat, 05 Jul 2014
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Danielle Bell
Page: 3
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

'BAD BATCH' OF PILLS KILLS

Police say Ecstasy caused 1 death and put 2nd teen in coma

Police believe the party drug Ecstasy may be behind the death of one 
woman and may have put a second woman in a coma. Both women attended 
raves in Ottawa over the Canada Day weekend.

The raves were large, outdoor organized events in central and east 
Ottawa between June 29 and July 1, although police did not elaborate.

One of the events is believed to be the Escapade Music Festival, the 
Sun learned, which drew tens of thousands of people to the 
Rideau-Carleton Raceway over four days, ending on Canada Day.

Escapade director of marketing/festival promotions Maninder Virk told 
the Sun Friday evening that he was not aware of any major incidents, 
such as a medical emergency, at the festival.

"We were never told of any serious events that went on over the 
weekend," said Virk. "We haven't been told by paramedics or police or anybody."

The woman who died was not from the capital. Police are talking to 
both families.

Police believe the drugs were bought in Ottawa, but the investigation 
continues.

How widespread a "bad batch" may have been, or whether the pills may 
have been laced with something that ramped up their potency is 
unknown right now.

So far, investigators believe the pills could be Ecstasy, or MDMA, 
which can be a common ingredient used to make Ecstasy.

Such synthetic drugs are not uncommon among teens and young adults, 
at event such as raves.

The 20-year-old remains in an induced coma, and is suffering from 
liver problems, police say.

The 19-year-old went to a local hospital, but died hours later.

The Sun reached out to the rave community but several people declined 
to comment.

It is not the first time police have sounded the alarm about deadly drugs.

In early June, two overdose deaths in the Outaouais, following 
several in Montreal, prompted a warning to IV drug users, about drugs 
possibly being laced with Fentanyl or extremely pure heroin making the rounds.

Police are joining forces with the regional coroner's office and 
Ottawa Public Health to spread public awareness about the dangers of 
taking such drugs.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the 
Ottawa Police Central District Investigations at 613-236-1222, ext. 5166.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom