PINETOWN GIRL DIES AS FOCUS IS PUT ON DRUGS

A 13-year-old Pinetown girl died from an apparent drug overdose yesterday -
a day after the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking.

Inspector Rani John said the teenager was taken to the Crompton Hospital
yesterday afternoon.

"She died an hour after being taken to the hospital and an inquest docket
has been opened," said John.

Her death comes as a blow to anti-drug activists who spent the entire week
driving home a special message to youngsters to keep away from drugs. The
South African National Council Against Alcohol Abuse held a variety of
workshops in Durban on Friday, while the police hosted a number of sporting
activities.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a special message to
mark the day.

Police are withholding the girl's name until her parents have been
informed. - Daily News Reporter