'FIT AND HEALTHY' GIRL DIED TAKING ECSTASY FOR THE FIRST TIME

THE distraught parents of a "fit and healthy" girl who died after taking an
ecstasy pill at a night club pleaded yesterday that their daughter should
not be judged harshly for experimenting with the drug.

Elaine Gair, mother of Anita, 17, an animal care student who collapsed while
dancing with friends and died in hospital on Sunday, wept as she said: "She
was not a bad girl." Anita's father, Martyn, 46, a prison officer, said:
"This is a tragic situation but a greater tragedy would have been not to
have known Anita at all, albeit for just a brief moment."

The couple, of Redditch, spoke to reporters at a news conference at the
headquarters of West Mercia Police, near Worcester, the city where the death
occurred. Anita, described by friends as hard-working and popular, was among
some 300 dancing at a nightclub called Tramps. Police suspect it may have
been the first time she had used ecstasy.

Senior officers spoke of the "nightmare" drug that made the young feel good
on the dance floor but which had a terrible potential. Mr Gair, whose wife
is an auxiliary nurse, said they preferred not to speak of the circumstances
surrounding the death of their daughter. Instead, they praised the "care,
sensitivity and understanding" shown to their daughter by medical staff at
Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester.

Det Supt Barrie Hill said that three men, all under 21, have been arrested
in connection with Anita's death. They include her boyfriend, Scott Smith,
19. Anthony Neal Prosser, 18, of Monarch Drive, Worcester, faces four
charges of supplying the controlled Class 'A' drug and one of possession
with intent to supply.

He was remanded in custody until May 25 by Worcester magistrates yesterday.
Reporting restrictions were not lifted at the hearing.

Det Supt Hill said it was the West Mercia force's first death attributable
to ecstasy. He said: "It is a growing problem all over the country. This
drug has a devastating effect. It is the drug that makes people feel so good
in the dance club scenario but in the long term it's a nightmare."

Anita arrived at the club with a group of friends at about 10pm, he said.
She took an ecstasy tablet an hour after arriving and later became very
excitable. Her condition deteriorated and she was taken to hospital. None of
the others in the group was taken ill.

Det Supt Hill said it was not known whether Anita had drunk water but she
was believed to have taken alcohol. No drugs were found at the club but some
were later seized at various addresses, said Det Supt Hill.

He said: "There is no indication that Anita had ever been involved in drugs
before. She and her friends regularly attended the club. We do not know
precisely why Anita died but we do know she took an ecstasy tablet two hours
before her death. She was a fit and healthy lady."

Anita, a keen Manchester United fan, had gained eight GCSE passes at
Arrowvale Comprehensive School, Redditch, the Worcestershire town to which
her parents moved from Swindon, Wilts, in 1988. She was taking a

two-year national diploma course in animal care at Moreton Morrell
Agricultural College, Warwicks.

Staff there described her as a "conscientious and caring student". One of
them said: "It all seems so totally out of character."