NEWS: News.com.au - Melanie Boyd wanted to call for help at Townsville pharm party'

[Coolio]

I know it sounds cruel but it really is dangerous in America. Imagine having your young adult life ruined by an inability to attend college or get any jobs because you have a felony and no college education, all because you THOUGHT your friend was OD'ing and called the ambulance to be safe... but they just went to the ER, had their stomachs pumped, and sent home sober with a $30,000 hospital bill.

 

[nabollocks]

I am definitely not a specialist on this subject. But the the information that beams across those satellites to our TVs from America about such offences is enough to scare any Australian out of ringing the authorities. Up until recently, American crime drama has accounted for ~80% of the crime drama shown of Australian TV.

There should almost be a disclaimer at the end of each crime show stating:
"Laws may differ in the country that this show is being viewed."

I bet more Australian kids know American law than they do Australian law. Sad, sad times we live in.

My sympathies to the parents.

 

[yokidsup]

edit by me: already been said

 

[NickyJ]

Also - this happened in a fairly remote town in far north Queensland, with a large army base nearby - not known as the brains trust region of Australia! (sorry Southern Cross Uni students )

Hahahaha, says he who thinks Southern Cross Uni is in Tville. We have James Cook University here, my dear. Now who's the brains trust?!

But re: the army, I couldn't agree more. Fuck I hate those dumb kunts. Tville would be an awesome place to live without the army barracks.


Back on topic: This is a terrible story. While its obviously the fault of the onlookers who allowed this girl to die, I feel as tho it should be common knowledge that cops don't get involved in these sorts of things. Surely the thought of police being involved was the only thing stopping them from helping her. Someone (ie. Me, you, the government) needs to get the word out there that you MUST call an ambulance if someone is struggling. Hell, surely there is some guy with a cushy government job that could be employed to write a procedure on what to do in case of an over dose. It can't be too hard, I could write it myself!


Either way, at the end of the day, if you encounter a young invincible kid who's obviously enjoying his new honey moon phase with drugs, try to make a point of passing on some wisdom which will help prevent harm to him/her and those around him/her.


[EDIT: This ain't social. hoptis]

 

[NickyJ]

Is anyone else slightly annoyed by the complete inability of the father to accept that his daughter was largely responsible?

Yes, the friends fucked up in a big way, but they're kids on drugs who freaked out.

Nope, I don't agree. "Kids on drugs who freaked out" is a really really shit reason for someone dying. I certainly wouldn't do anything like that if a friend of mine was ODing. Surely its the unwritten law of taking drugs with friends, you know you're doing something a little risky so you make a point of looking out for each other.

Bloody kids these days

 

[swilow]

The father sounds like he's just gonna end up bitter and hateful....kids are kids and do the most stupid, cruel and horrible things; part of our human heritage. I fail to see why three peoples live should be ruined because of a terrible, stupid mistake. One life already has been.

Were I the father, I would vent my anger at the legislators who have made such as thse drugs legal and others not. I would also b wondering why my daughter wanted to sniff anti-dpressants in the first place.

Bloody kids these days

A good bunch for the most part; just like the human race at large.

 

[Green Laser]

Nope, I don't agree. "Kids on drugs who freaked out" is a really really shit reason for someone dying. I certainly wouldn't do anything like that if a friend of mine was ODing. Surely its the unwritten law of taking drugs with friends, you know you're doing something a little risky so you make a point of looking out for each other.

Bloody kids these days

Yes, but you've got to take it in context. These people were obviously not knowledgeable AT ALL regarding drugs - They probably had very little idea what they were getting themselves into and then somebody ODs, they're all high, they freak out. Yes it's shit, yes they fucked up massively, but can they really be blamed?

I'm only 17, and I've been in a few situations where I've wondered what the fuck to do, luckily I've always had some sort of capacity to reason and shit has worked out - but if I wasn't as experienced/knowledgeable about drugs as I am then I could easily see how it devolves into something as fucked up as what happened here.

 

[Mr Blonde]

Yes it's shit, yes they fucked up massively, but can they really be blamed?

Yes, in my opinion they can.

Failure to call an ambulance or seek medical attention when someone is clearly in need of it is a deadly sin in my book.

Unless you are so fucked up that you don't realize what's happening and could not possibly get help, there is no reason not to.

I do empathize with them, and realize that they are the product of some of the worst drug education possible, but failing to get help when it was most obviously needed ('blue, struggling to breathe') is beyond me. They didn't want to get police involved... who did they think were gonna get involved if she died?

 

[hoptis]

Parents' Assn backs teen's drugs death as school case study
Posted Thu Nov 6, 2008 11:23am AEDT

The Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations (QCPCA) has supported the coroner's calls for the death of a Townsville teenager to be used as a case study in schools.

Melanie Boyd, 16, died two years ago after consuming a cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol at a party.

Handing down his findings in Townsville in north Queensland, coroner Brian Smith found that the teenager had choked on her vomit after swallowing a mixture of prescription drugs and alcohol.

He also found that despite two other girls suffering fits, it was 'unbelievable' no-one called an ambulance.

The teenager died in the early hours of the morning.

QCPCA state president Margaret Black says she can understand why the coroner wants students to learn from the tragedy.

"If it could save another life it would have to be a good thing, we would support it being used in schools as long as it was used carefully," she said.

"Obviously teachers would do that - they're not silly - they don't allow children to get over stressed, so it's got to be a good thing."

Ms Boyd's father, Laurie Boyd, says he can never forgive the older girls who should have known better.

"A lot of people say you've got to move on from this and that's incorrect," he said.

"I can't find it my heart, at this time, to even think about forgiving them.

"I can't understand what she did."

ABC

Welford keen to get teen drug death case study into schools
Posted Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:37pm AEDT

The state Minister for Education says details of the drug-related death of a Townsville teenager will be circulated to all Queensland schools within weeks.

A coroner recommended the death of Melanie Boyd, 16, at a party in 2006, be used as a case study as part of a drug education program.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford has told Parliament he will act on the coroner's advice - so the girl's death will not be in vain.

"This will be Melanie's legacy. Her story will act as a warning to others so that their families and friends hopefully don't suffer what those closest to Melanie have suffered and faced in the past two years," he said.

ABC

 

[static_mind]

Its easy for us to judge when none of us where there.

 

[Don Quixote]

It's (more) correct for people in America

Is anyone else slightly annoyed by the complete inability of the father to accept that his daughter was largely responsible?

Yes, the friends fucked up in a big way, but they're kids on drugs who freaked out.

totally and wholly.
Though i can sympathise with the situation (surely his grief has made him look elsewhere for people to blame to ease the burden.) it's unnaceptable that he brought up his daughter to such a standard that she didn't know that randomly popping pills in such quantities and mixes, along with alcohol is just stupid and akin to Russian roulette.

i have no sympathy for such people however, even if it is due to the "system's" fault.
Know your goddamned drug.

on a sidenote, it was incredibly stupid and selfish of the friends however to deny the girl an ambulance. Though i don't see the need to persecute them. They were stupid, but it would be hypocritical for the government to accuse them of anything.