'I'M JUST DEVASTATED'

Deaths Of Two 'Good Kids' After Ecstasy Episode 'Very Difficult':
Paul Band Spokesman

Two teen girls who died in hospital after reportedly taking the
street drug ecstasy at Paul Band First Nation over the weekend are
being remembered as two well-brought-up kids.

GOOD HOMES

"These girls were brought up in good homes," said Lloyd Saulteaux,
who is related to both Leah Dominique House and Trinity Dawn Bird.

House, 14, died yesterday morning and Bird, 15, died Tuesday night at
the Stollery Children's Hospital after being taken off life support,
confirmed band spokesman Dennis Paul.

"I'm just devastated, shocked. It's a very difficult time and I pray
for the families," said Paul, describing the two as "good kids."

Paul said Bird, who was friends with his niece, was always polite,
helpful, well liked and had many friends.

House was a great girl; she went to school and didn't get into
trouble, said Saulteaux, who said he considered her like a granddaughter.

"Kids at that age are curious and were experimenting with something
they shouldn't have," he said.

A private funeral has been planned for the girls at a later date, he added.

A third girl who was hospitalized was treated and released yesterday.

The three teens were part of a group of nine girls who had taken the
drug. People attending a wedding nearby were alerted after some of
the youths got sick, and Stony Plain RCMP were called in before 1 a.m. Sunday.

Four girls were taken to hospital and one was treated and released soon after.

Some members of the community said they thought the drugs were
ecstasy pills laced with rat poison. RCMP spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes
said police were advised that traces of the street drug ecstasy were
found in the teens, but no form of poison was found.

The families of the girls had issued a statement earlier this week
thanking medical staff and the community, as well as expressing
concerns "about how these young ladies were able to obtain such a
dangerous substance in a supposedly safe environment."

Oakes said 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.

Police will continue to investigate to determine whether the person
who gave or sold the girls ecstasy can be charged with a criminal
offence, he said, adding that police may consult with Crown prosecutors.

It is still not known where the drugs came from, but Paul said he and
members of the community hope to see someone charged.

ILLICIT DRUGS

Mounties spent yesterday speaking to students at the community's
school to discuss illicit drugs and prevention, along with a
six-member crisis unit who have been travelling to schools within
Parkland School District to debrief students and provide counselling.

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