Cops visit students after fatal Abbotsford ecstasy overdoses
Posted January 3, 2012 3:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ABBOTSFORD (NEWS1130) – Grief counsellors and police liaison officers were talking to Abbotsford high school students about ecstasy on Tuesday.
It was the first day of classes since 17-year-old Cheryl McCormack died over the Christmas break. Police say she was taking the drug to help control her weight.
“At the particular school where we had the tragedy we have our district counselling staff on the campus with a special room set aside for any staff or students that may need to take advantage of that this week,” said Abbotsford School District Manager of Communications Dave Stephen.
“It’s a pretty tragic thing for such a young life to be taken. It takes an effect for sure.”
McCormack was the second teenager from Abbotsford to die after taking ecstasy last month. An 18-year-old man also died from an apparent overdose after he took the drug with some friends.
Another 24-year-old woman from Abbotsford is currently in critical condition after she took some ecstasy at a New Years Eve party.
Const. Ian MacDonald says police are trying to track down who is selling the drugs.
“It’s happening in other jurisdictions and involving Abbotsford kids,” MacDonald said. “Some have gone to hospital and regrettably we have heard of teens in Abbotsford and elsewhere dying.”
MacDonald is warning people not to take the drug.
Calgary police put out a public warning as well after four people overdosed after using ecstasy in the last four weeks.
