GIRL DIES FROM TAKING MYSTERY DRUG

One Paul Band First Nation Girl Dead, Another Still In Coma

One of two teen girls from the Paul Band First Nation who was placed
on life support after falling ill from taking an unknown drug Sunday
has died, confirmed band spokesman Dennis Paul, who spent much of
yesterday at Stollery Children's Hospital.

The girl, who has been identified as Trinity Bird, died yesterday
around 8:30 p.m.

"It's really, really sad," said her great-uncle Lloyd Saulteaux.

He said the second girl, who is still in a coma, was "in really rough
shape," and the third girl, Saulteaux's granddaughter, is in stable
condition and walking around.

The girls were part of a group of up to nine youths who had taken the drug.

AT WEDDING

Guests of a nearby wedding were alerted after some of the youths got
sick, and called Stony Plain RCMP just before 1 a.m.

Four girls were taken to hospital, but one was treated and released
shortly after.

Some members of the community said they believed the drugs were laced
with rat poison.

RCMP were advised that traces of the street drug ecstasy where found
in the teens, but no form of poison was found, said RCMP spokesman
Cpl. Wayne Oakes.

Investigators hope to speak with anyone who may have information
about this incident to find out what contributed to the youths'
illness and determine if it could pose further risk or harm to
others, Oakes said.

It is still unknown where the drugs came from.

STUDENTS GET HELP

A six-member drug strategy unit was assembled yesterday morning to
help local students within the Parkland School District cope, said
team leader Deanna Ledoux.

"It was identified by some teachers and staff that a lot of the kids
were talking, even kids as young as Grade 1 and 2, about what
happened. The teachers weren't sure how to address it with them,"
Ledoux said, adding that some of the students are relatives or
friends of the girls in hospital.

The team will be out in full force this week to continue debriefing
and providing counselling to students.

Paul Band First Nation is located about 80 km west of Edmonton.