PARENTS, YOUTHS, MALL MUST LEARN FROM TEEN'S DEATH

Re: " 'We will never forget you'; Students mourn classmate who
overdosed on ecstasy," The Journal, April 28.

The courage of Cassandra Williams' parents is exemplary, as is the
support of the community. Some good can come out of this tragedy:

- - Individuals selling the drugs and teens buying them are most
culpable. Parents and society cannot take all the blame and can only
do so much. Teens do not have the wisdom or experience to always make
good decisions. The drug industry must be aggressively attacked;

- - West Edmonton Mall's security have been aware of drug use and
sexual activity on their premises at this underage "party." If they
are unable or unwilling to control the problems, this event should be closed;

- - Parents should not naively drop their kids off thinking they are
safe; They are prey for predators;

- - Teens need to look out for each other;

- - The police need ongoing visible and undercover deterrence and the
courts need to be less lenient.

William Huget, Edmonton