Abbotsford police have issued another public warning about illegal drug use after a young woman overdosed on ecstasy on New Year's Eve.
Const. Ian MacDonald said the 24-year-old's friends have admitted to taking the party drug together at a home on George Ferguson Way before the victim suddenly lost consciousness.
"Her friends have been very forthcoming with police," MacDonald said in a statement. "They suspect they took smaller quantities than the overdose victim."
The young woman, whose name has not been released, was treated by BC Ambulance and Abbotsford Fire Rescue personnel at the scene before being taken to hospital. She remains in critical condition.
The overdose follows the tragic deaths of two young people who perished in separate ecstasy-related incidents in Abbotsford in the last two months.
Laurie Mossey and Russ Miller say their 20-year-old son Tyler died taking the drug on late November 27. The grieving parents say they tried to warn their son of the dangers of the drug, and even put him in counseling.
"It breaks my heart," Miller told CTV News. "Kids think it's safe. They think it's all just in fun."
Less than two weeks ago, a 17-year-old girl died after taking the drug at a sleepover, prompting a police warning about illicit drug use.
Cheryl McCormack was rushed to hospital in critical condition on Dec. 20 because of a negative response to ecstasy, and died two days later.
Three of her friends who also took the drug were admitted to hospital and treated as a precaution. They were released the same day.
McCormack is believed to have been using the drug for weight loss purposes, but MacDonald said the latest victim and her friends used it exclusively "as their recreational drug of choice."
The Abbotsford Police Department has again cautioned parents and teens that taking illegal drugs in any form or quantity presents a risk.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Michele Brunoro
