Quebec girl clings to life after trying ecstasy
CTV News
Mon. Feb. 6 2006
A 13-year-old Quebec girl is on life support after allegedly experimenting with the drug ecstasy.
Quebec provincial police said the girl, who is from Rigaud, which is just west of Montreal, was at a sleepover with a 14-year-old friend in Hudson. They met with a 16-year-old boy who allegedly provided them with the drug.
By Saturday night, the 13-year-old was having trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital where she was placed on life-support, said Chantal Mackels, a spokesperson for the provincial police.
The girl, whose identity has not been released, was taken to Montreal's Children's Hospital, where she clings to life.
The 16-year-old has been taken into custody by police, and was to appear in court Monday to face drug charges.
The drug ecstasy causes euphoria by increasing the flow of serotonin to the brain, and in rare cases, can trigger severe brain damage.
Students, staff and parents at the girl's high school were prevented from speaking to the media, but the principal spoke with CTV Montreal. He said efforts were underway to help students deal with the trauma associated with the incident.
"When kids, at this age especially, have concerns like this they like to express themselves. So we've put a team in place and they'll be in place for the next couple of days," said Mike Miller, principal of Westwood Junior High School.
Jim Duff, editor of the Hudson Gazette, said he isn't surprised local youth are being affected by drugs. In Hudson there is little else to do, and drugs are easily obtained, he said.
"You can buy any drug in Hudson you can buy in downtown Montreal," Duff said. "When you're 13 to 16, 17, until you start to drive, there's no way out of this town. You're trapped here. There s no video arcade, there's nothing to do except to get stoned and roam around the streets."
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CTV News
Mon. Feb. 6 2006
A 13-year-old Quebec girl is on life support after allegedly experimenting with the drug ecstasy.
Quebec provincial police said the girl, who is from Rigaud, which is just west of Montreal, was at a sleepover with a 14-year-old friend in Hudson. They met with a 16-year-old boy who allegedly provided them with the drug.
By Saturday night, the 13-year-old was having trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital where she was placed on life-support, said Chantal Mackels, a spokesperson for the provincial police.
The girl, whose identity has not been released, was taken to Montreal's Children's Hospital, where she clings to life.
The 16-year-old has been taken into custody by police, and was to appear in court Monday to face drug charges.
The drug ecstasy causes euphoria by increasing the flow of serotonin to the brain, and in rare cases, can trigger severe brain damage.
Students, staff and parents at the girl's high school were prevented from speaking to the media, but the principal spoke with CTV Montreal. He said efforts were underway to help students deal with the trauma associated with the incident.
"When kids, at this age especially, have concerns like this they like to express themselves. So we've put a team in place and they'll be in place for the next couple of days," said Mike Miller, principal of Westwood Junior High School.
Jim Duff, editor of the Hudson Gazette, said he isn't surprised local youth are being affected by drugs. In Hudson there is little else to do, and drugs are easily obtained, he said.
"You can buy any drug in Hudson you can buy in downtown Montreal," Duff said. "When you're 13 to 16, 17, until you start to drive, there's no way out of this town. You're trapped here. There s no video arcade, there's nothing to do except to get stoned and roam around the streets."
Link
