A community close to the city sympathizes with the family of a 14-year-old Edmonton girl who died after taking ecstasy, as they continue to cope with their own similar tragedy.
Dennis Paul, spokesman for the Paul Band First Nation, said he was saddened to hear of the death of Cassie Eyre, who was taken off life support Saturday afternoon. Her friend Ashley, who was also hospitalized after ingesting the drug, is said to be doing better.
The incident hits close to home for the Paul Band community, 80 km west of Edmonton.
Just last month, 14-year-old Leah House and 15-year-old Trinity Bird died in hospital after taking ecstasy along with seven other girls on the night of March 21. A teen accused of supplying the drugs was charged with criminal negligence.
"There have already been three incidents," Paul said. "That should be more than enough to deter teens from engaging with this harmful substance."
Lloyd Saulteaux, who is related to both House and Bird, said he felt for Cassie's family, adding he knows the grief they are going through.
Echoing Paul's sentiments, Saulteaux also indicated he was surprised to hear that teens are still taking chances with this street drug.
"With what happened with these young girls, I was hoping it would be a wake-up call not to take the drugs. It's so sad."
A month after the deaths, the community is still in mourning. A drug intervention team, created in the wake of the drug incident, was still visiting schools and offering crisis counselling earlier this month and continues to be available to anyone who needs help, Paul said.
And last Thursday, several dozen community members gathered for a special ceremony to release their sadness in an attempt to gain closure, said Saulteaux. Mourners wrote prayers, attached them to balloons, and released them into the air all at once.
"We are trying to heal, but we never forget," he said.
Saulteaux also had harsh words for whoever provided the drugs to the teen girls.
"People selling them don't care who they hurt as long as they get their money," he said. "They should be punished severely."
