DRUG GIRL'S MOTHER TELLS OF ANGUISH FOR FAMILIES

The mother of a schoolgirl who died from a drug overdose on Boxing Day last
night warned young people of the anguish they can leave behind for their
families when they experiment with drugs.

Marie Kirk, 39, was speaking after receiving the results of a post mortem
examination which confirmed that the death of her daughter, Kerry-Ann, 15,
was drugs related. Surrounded by her four other children, Gary, 17, Cheryl,
12, Jane, 3, and Marie-Louise, three months, Mrs Kirk said: "I always
believed Kerry-Ann would have nothing to do with drugs. But you never know
until it happens to one of your own.

"Young people experimenting with drugs should remember that it is the
family who are left behind to suffer. It is the family who have to pick up
the pieces and carry on living not knowing why their child has died. I just
do not know how we are going to get through it.

"New Year was a terrible time. We all just sat watching each other not
knowing what to say. When the bells went we could not even wish each other
a Happy New Year. It was so upsetting."