BURSARY IN NAME OF TEEN WHO DIED OF OVERDOSE

Took Ecstasy To Help Lose Weight

The family of an Abbotsford teenage girl who died from an overdose of
ecstasy just prior to Christmas is setting up a bursary in her memory.

Cheryl McCormack, 17, died on Dec. 22, days after taking the drug with
three friends at sleepover in order to lose weight.

Susan McAlevy, executive director of the Abbotsford Community
Foundation, said a friend is helping McCormack's family establish the
fund.

"A bursary is something positive they can focus on," said
McAlevy.

"Sadly, we've have done a number of them over the years when a tragedy
has befallen a family and they often think about what good can come of
this."

The McCormacks' friend Shirley Wilson agreed, saying the family wants
to give back.

"If Cheryl's life and death could change another young girl's life and
direction, that would be a good thing," said Wilson.

"Christmas is going to be forever marked by the loss of their
daughter, but they are trying to put something positive out there. To
help other youth do good and make positive choices."

McCormack, a synchronized skater and later a keen rugby player, played
sports all her life and was going to graduate in 2012.

The details of the bursary have yet to be established but will likely
reflect the wishes, aspirations or talents of the young woman it sets
out to remember, Wilson said.

The award also demonstrates the McCormack family's wish to bring
awareness to dangers of drug use.

"They want families to talk about this openly," said
Wilson.

"Having a young girl die who had everything going for her is going to
spur discussions in households."

Last week, police and McCormack's parents, who have asked for privacy,
released the young woman's name and photo to underline the dangers of
consuming drugs for any reason, including weight loss.

McCormack took the drug around 9 p.m. on Dec. 19 along with three of
her friends while at a sleep-over, said Abbotsford Police spokesman
Const. Ian MacDonald.

Later that night, around 2: 45 a.m., McCormack began to have a
negative reaction and lost consciousness.

The young woman was transported to the hospital where she remained in
critical condition until Thursday, when she passed away.

McCormack's friends, who didn't react the same way to the drug, were
treated as a precaution in hospital and later released.

McCormack's parents and police want to ensure the tragedy is not
repeated, said MacDonald.

"We are trying to communicate the unpredictability that comes with
taking drugs," he said.

"These are not delivered by a doctor or manufactured by a
pharmaceutical company.

"They may look the same every time they are ingested but they can vary
widely in composition and strength."

It appears that all the teens took similar amounts of the drug, which
is still undergoing analysis.

Youth squad officers have heard reports that girls in Abbotsford
schools are using ecstasy as a weight loss mechanism, MacDonald said.

The police department will continue to combat the dangerous practice
through both prevention and enforcement measures. Investigators are
seeking to identify the supplier and source of the ecstasy.

The APD extends its condolences to McCormack's family and friends
during this extremely difficult time, said MacDonald.

Members of the community who wish to express their condolences to the
McCormack family, in lieu of flowers, can make a donation to the
Cheryl McCormack Memorial Award.

For information on making a donation online e-mail
info@abbotsfordcf.org or to donate by phone call 604850-3755.

Anyone with information should call the APD at 604859-5225 or Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.