Popular street drug claims young life
BITTER PILL: Erin Spanevello was 21, full of life, and after taking the drug ecstasy, died. RCMP are launching a program to educate about the dangers of ecstasy.
It may be called ecstasy, but consequences of using the illegal party drug can be anything but ecstatic.
“The prevalence of ecstasy is now being seen in all communities across BC, including Powell River,” said RCMP Constable Kerri Chard. “Just months ago, Powell River RCMP were notified that a suspicious bag of pills was found in a public location. Police seized the pills, which are suspected to be ecstasy.”
These particular tablets were bright orange, decorated with a logo that may be attractive to some young people, featuring a picture of a firearm.
“The drugs have been secured awaiting analysis,” Chard said. “Police wish to make the public aware that although this significant amount did not make it to the streets, ecstasy is present in Powell River and parents should be vigilant in helping protect their children.”
RCMP’s Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Service (DOCAS) launched Project E-Aware, which is designed to increase awareness of the harmful effects of ecstasy among Canadians. E-Aware provides factual information on a new website designed to help parents inform themselves of the dangers of the popular street drug.
Erin Spanevello’s story forms the foundation of the information. She was a healthy and happy young adult until she died from cardiac and respiratory failure induced by a lethal dose of illegal recreational drugs at the age of 21.
“Despite what many believe, ecstasy is far from being a safe or recreational drug,” said Inspector Dan Quirion, officer in charge of the DOCAS program. “This illicit drug is made with a number of toxic chemicals and can be lethal. There is no quality control, no dosage control and there is no safe amount to take.
“By telling Erin’s story through Project E-Aware, we hope to encourage parents to learn about the dangers of ecstasy so that they will feel comfortable speaking with their children about the drug.”
Catherine Spanevello, Erin’s mom, said she knew nothing about ecstasy and now Erin is dead.
“Talk to your kids about drugs, their lives could depend on it,” she said. “As our children deal with the pressures of returning to school and many move away from home for the first time, it is important that parents inform themselves of the dangers of ecstasy before it’s too late.”
Ecstasy, commonly known on the streets as E, is a bright and colourful synthetic chemical drug normally ingested orally in pill form. Common effects of ecstasy include a perceived increase in stimulation, euphoria and pleasant emotions. Ecstasy is produced in Canada by organized crime groups, and with a street value as low as $5 per tablet, is easily affordable to youth.
For more information on the RCMP drug program, readers can visit www.drugawareness.bc.rcmp.gc.ca.
