Strong Energy Drinks Claim A Fatality

Almost every day, people come to my blog to read an old post on Red Line, which I posted after a friend got very sick after drinking the very strong chemical stew posing as an "energy drink."

Many visitors leave comments claiming that the drink poses no danger at all. Perhaps they should consider this news story, which was left in a comment posted on my earlier Red Line post:

Wellington teen dies after consuming alcohol, energy drinks

By Leon Fooksman, Luis F. Perez and Lia Lehrer
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
8:44 AM EDT, May 21, 2008

A 16-year-old Wellington student died over the weekend after attending a party where alcohol was consumed, Palm Beach County sheriff's investigators said.

Paramedics who tried to resuscitate Ashley Ramnauth on Sunday found alcohol in her system, sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said.

Ramnauth was a Lake Worth High School honor roll student and the daughter of Hollywood Police Officer Hansman Ramnauth.

She "apparently made a bad decision to consume energy drinks and alcohol in combination," according to a statement from her family released Tuesday through the Palm Beach County School District. She "did not have a lot of experience with alcohol and did not have a known problem with alcohol," the family added

...In March, paramedics took four Weston schoolboys to a hospital after they became ill from drinking an "energy-boosting" liquid not meant for children, authorities said. The boys were sweating and suffering from increased heart rates and lightheadedness. They drank Redline, a combination fat-burning and energy enhancement drink marketed as a "freaky scientific" breakthrough on the Web site of the company that makes it.

There's a news clip about Ashley's death with the news article; it's worth watching.

I'll conclude with how I concluded my earlier post:

There's something definitely wrong here. [Red Line manufacturer] VPX is not taking responsibility for its product and is getting away with it. Seven-11 is not taking responsibility for the products it sells and is also getting away with it.

Please pass this along with a warning. Energy drink drinkers, think about going back to good old coffee or black tea and stay away from this junk.

Here's A Show You Won't Want To Miss!

Be sure to tune in this Friday to E! Television, for the show THS Investigates: Prom Nightmares and airs at 8 Eastern/7 Central (check your local listings).

The 90-minute show offers a warning to parents and prom-going kids about what has happened to other kids who made bad decisions on prom night. It will include a segment on Cathy Isford, a girl who died after taking Ecstasy at her prom.

I included a segment on Cathy, told by her mom, dad and sister on my Voice of the Victim films. It is such a touching and sad story! The tribute her father Paul gives to her is one of the most moving things I've ever seen or heard.

The THS crew used our office to shoot the interviews with the Isford family and me and we're told that Voice of the Victims will get on-screen titles -- and that several million people are likely to watch the show. Since my mission is to get the films into the hands of people who need them, this could be a great moment for Voice of the Victims.

If you're curious, or if you or your kids or your grandkids are at or approaching prom age, this could be a good thing to watch.

And by the way, if you're curious or if you, your kids, etc., are prom age, you should consider getting a copy of the films yourself.

Catch a preview of Prom Nightmares here. The clip doesn't include anything on Cathy, but gives you a pretty good idea of what the story line is: the risks kids put themselves in because of bad choices they make -- and a lot of bad choices are made around prom and graduation.

Trying To Save Angels

No matter how many stories I hear about how drug tragedies tear families apart, I get torn up, as I did with this story out of Pennsylvania:

Tom Hamilton has lots of photographs and memories. His oldest daughter, Melissa, had an infectious smile and was a cheerleader for Central Dauphin and the Big 33. His oldest son, Phillip, was the funny one who kept an eye on younger sister Nina.

"Phillip was always very fun and caring and always protective," Nina said. "I always felt safe. He'd never let anything happen to me."

But Phillip wasn't so protective of himself. In 2004, while partying with friends, Phillip overdosed on Xanax and heroin. He was 25.
Less than 2 years later, Melissa suffered the same fate at 28.

"She said I need this to wake up in the morning - to get through my day," Nina said. "She needed it and that's what heroin does to you."

Tom Hamilton has responded to this tragedy in a way I understand, even though, thank God, I haven't had to live through a tragedy like his: He started a drug education group.

Through his tears and grief, Tom started Saving Angels, a non-profit dedicated to educating kids and parents about the dangers of drugs. "Kids gotta understand that they're harming more than themselves," he said. "It involves parents, other friends, involves all their relatives."

He is so right! Too many parents just don't understand the dangers drugs pose today, and to protect their kids they have to start by educating themselves.

Saving Angels is a local group with an outreach program to schools and groups around Harrisburg PA. If you're in that area, please contact them.

Others can find educational resources at the Voice of the Victims Web site, and much, much more on the Voice of the Victims films.

Elation As Abducted Girl Found

I haven't posted previously on Sharon Matthews, a 9 year old British girl who's been missing for 24 days. Well, she's been found! Watch the excitement, not just of her family but of Sharon's entire town, on hearing the news:


It is impossible to imagine 24 days of waiting in horrified, worry-filled agony for news like this -- but how wonderful that this is the news the Matthews family got.

It's also encouraging that there is also a suspect in custody -- but once again, it's impossible to imagine what the Matthews family is feeling on learning that he is a member of their extended family.

Tussionex Warning!

Washington has noted the dangerous results of using the prescription cough medicine Tussionex as a drug and issued a warning:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health officials issued an alert on Tuesday about reports of life-threatening side effects and deaths among patients, including children, who took UCB SA's prescription cough medicine Tussionex.

The reports indicate doctors sometimes are prescribing, and patients sometimes taking, more than the recommended dose of Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Some also are taking the drug more frequently than every 12 hours, the recommended time interval, or giving it to children under age 6, the FDA said. Tussionex is not approved for children younger than 6.

Here's what the RX List has to say about Tussionex. It's technical, so I'll leave all the links in -- and I've highlighted the frightening stuff you should pay attention to!

Serious overdosage with hydrocodone [Tussionex] is characterized by respiratory depression (a decrease in respiratory rate and/or tidal volume, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, cyanosis), extreme somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, and sometimes bradycardia and hypotension. Although miosis is characteristic of narcotic overdose, mydriasis may occur in terminal narcosis or severe hypoxia. In severe overdosage apnea [stopped or decreased breathing], circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest and death may occur.

Be careful with this and ALL prescription drugs!

Chandler was Found

I am happy to report Chandler was found!

Beth Pearce

Annette's Story

It's been four and a half years since Annette Orango was drugged with GHB and raped. Annette was crushed by the crime against her and has worked valiantly to build up her strength and self-esteem.

Virtually ever since that day, she's battling the Vancouver police for justice and the Canadian health care system to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which she explains as:

Vomiting, hypervigilance, fear, anxiety, anger, rage, hatred, panic attacks, depression including suicidal thoughts, headaches, hyper acute senses(wear sunglasses often, easily startled by noises or unexpected touching), no sex, no physical contact, avoid men, can not have my back exposed, must sleep either on couch or a bed with one side against a wall, looking over shoulder dozens of times daily, can not carry items in both hands, can not wear high heeled footwear, have to see the door in public places, have to sit in booth or high back chair or against a wall, avoid many public places including movie theatres, concerts, drinking establishments, have to sit on side bench seats or very back of public transit, avoid going anywhere after dark, avoid drinking beverages in public places, achy bones, excessive tiredness, short term memory loss, emotional swings, triggers(black men, New Westminster,alcohol, degrading and disrespectful comments regarding women, violence) flashbacks, dissociation, isolation, difficulty trusting, difficulty reading, difficulty focusing and concentrating, diminished interest in everyday activities, avoid going most places alone, loss of sense of order or fairness in the world, difficulty sleeping, compromised immune system, avoid people, increased need to control, always armed, over protective, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder.

There are more. Some of these I have overcome,but I still experience many.

All this because one man decided it would be a good idea to drug Annette's drink with GHB and rape her. After corresponding with Annette for some time, she has just sent me tons of information and documentation on her case.

I wish I had known Annette before this happened to her, because I can tell from our emails she was a lovely person. You can see from these excerpts from her lengthy document , Canadian Corruption, which details the case and the pain it's caused her, it is hard for Annette to be that lovely person today. She is angry, hurt and struggling.

Here are some excerpts from Canadian Corruption:

My name is Annette Orango. On April 29, 2003 my life changed forever and no one could prepare me for the nightmare I was about to endure. I am Canadian and as a Canadian I am going to exercise my right to Freedom of Speech. I will prove to you the Canadian Government is corrupt by supplying government documentation and I will warn you some of this information is graphic and disturbing. This includes medical records, information from the police file and much more.

What you will read on this website is based on my feelings, my thoughts, my beliefs, my experiences, my wants, and my opinion. I am entitled to these and no one can take these away from me. I am born and raised Canadian and my Human Rights have been violated so many times I've lost count. I might possibly be the most pissed off woman in this country and there are many responsible for my pain and trauma. I am filled with anger, hatred and rage and unfortunately that hasn't gotten better with time. And if you think it's acceptable for victims to go through this type of turmoil, then so be it. But,try to put yourself in my shoes. Try to empathize. And if you're a man, put yourself in my fathers' boots. Don't think about this too much. FEEL IT! And this is not a joke and a game, this has been my life since April 29,2003.

Long story short.April 29,2003 I was drugged and raped. I am sharing this information with the world because these are extremely heinous crimes that are happening everyday and everywhere. They are unreported because of the nature of the crime which is severe memory loss. It's very difficult to tell someone what happened to you if you don't know. Also the drugs leave your system very fast and are rarely detected.

Rape is the worst trauma a woman can go through. It is the gravest of all violations. Drugging a woman's drink magnifies that trauma by a thousand fold. And as soon as you put a date rape drug such as GHB, ketamine, rohypnol, etc. in a woman's drink; you have eliminated all aspects of consent to the act of sex and you are know a rapist. You also do not care whether that woman lives or dies at the moment of ingestion or in her future. These drugs are extremely potent and do kill when they are administered. They affect the heart, the central nervous system, the respiratory system, etc. You could also be a murderer and drugging drinks is very premeditated. There is no doubt in my mind this is what happened to Natalie Halloway.

I have done lots of work on this. Date rape drugs are everywhere and I have known for quite some time that bar staff are being paid so men can drug drinks and men are being drugged by other men. Why? If a man comes into a drinking establishment with a woman or is trying to pick up a woman that some other guy is interested in, his drink may be drugged to remove him from the scenario.

And of course bar staff themselves are drugging women’s' drinks as is the case of 44 year old Fernando Manuel Aves. This bartender at the Metrotown Station Square Pub (Burnaby, BC) has been charged with 4 counts of sexual assault and 1 count of administration of a noxious substance. And he is still allowed to serve drinks to women while out on bail!! ... He is a serial rapist for Christ sakes and the morons responsible for him allowing to serve alcohol deserve a bullet between their eyes. This is where Canadians need to get their heads out of their asses. You can hardly protect your drink when bar staff are involved. And the cops need to stop telling women to be cautious, but to tell these scumbags this is not acceptable behavior and you need to control your dicks.

I was drugged in a clean, decent pub called the Thirsty Duck Pub in New Westminster, BC. I was raped in my home. We were stopped by the police on the way to my home because of the shape I was in. When I woke up I knew something bad had happened. I had a rape kit done and called the police. I told them what I knew, which wasn't much. And honestly, I thought well if I don't remember what's it going to hurt? Which is what these scumbags are counting on. It came back to bite me in the ass as hard as it gets.

I was barred from the pub for life for having the police investigate. Then, in December of 2003, I started vomiting chronically. This continued until the day I moved from my apartment which was June 28,2004. I had numerous tests done and I couldn't work. I was on disability through my workplace, but as promptly cut off from these benefits when they learned I had been drugged and raped. I was finally diagnosed with PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder] which I get to live with for the rest of my life and have to take medication for on a daily basis. It affects the central nervous system and another severe trauma could put me in a coma, a vegetative state or even kill me. I applied to the Criminal Victims' Assistance Program (CVAP) and have had to deal with these inept morons ever since. This is where the serious corruption starts.

The drugging and the rape were committed by a black individual originally from Cameroon, Africa. His name is Ted. He was never charged. Since then there have been other crimes committed against me by government officials and other individuals. EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE HAS CHANGED. Ultimately Ted is responsible for all of this, and I want him dead for what he has put me through. ...

I'm not too sure how many times one woman has to ask for help, but I can only be kicked in the head so many times and thanks to all of these selfish cops and lazy government officials, I am armed 24/7 with knives and firearms. I have done 2 radio interviews, participated in 2 newspaper stories [the Province and Calgary Herald], participated in having the legislature changed regarding drug facilitated rape,have done peer counselling for the few women who actually knew this happened to them and have seen 5 counsellors/phsychologists. People have been extremely condescending of my trauma and pain and I have been blamed time and time again for being a victim; even though everyone knows men think with their dicks.

I'm 38 years old and I am a smart woman who has had everything taken away from her. Myself and my family are the only ones who have suffered any consequences. I have busted my ass to reclaim my self worth and to make a difference for myself and others. I deserve closure,the truth, accountability, compensation and restitution.

I couldn't agree more, but all Annette gets are roadblock, and much worse. It's as if she, not Ted, were the criminal.

Annette has sent me much more information, which I'm still going through. Look for future posts.

Photo credit: T. Paz

Ashley Flores Missing: A Hoax!

Thanks to Carol for calling to let me know the story I posted here a while back about a supposedly missing girl named Ashley Flores is a hoax. You can read about the hoax at Snopes.

It's a real shame that some people reduce the impact of true missing children alerts by created awful hoaxes like this.

Beware of Red Line Energy Drink!

I have copied below a post from my husband's blog detailing a frightening incident we had as a result of a family friend drinking a Red Line energy drink. This is a very dangerous concoction, so please avoid it and caution your friends and family!

A week ago last night, one of my friends drank an energy drink -- Red Line, manufactured by VPX Sports -- and spent the next 24 hours so sick that we were monitoring her carefully in anticipation of having to take her to the emergency room.

Her symptoms, which came on about two and a half hours after she drank a can of the brew, included chills, sweating, diarrhea and vomiting, vomiting, vomiting with deep, racking convulsions that were quite frightening to watch. Fortunately, they died down and she eventually returned to her normal, healthy self.

She is hardly alone in her reaction to this foul concoction. Here's Lynn commenting on HealthBoard message boards:

I dont recommend it to anyone. Seriously, I am not a light weight when it comes to things that amp you. But this one, no, no, no! It made me immediately ill, shaky, chest pain beyond belief, I thought I was going to die. (sweating and chills, through [sic] up 3 times). Outrageous, I wonder how they were able to actually sell it to anybody.

And, 10.5 hrs later???? Still sick and heart pounding out of control.

And here's the quick-typing Sleepy commenting on the site Tell Him Fred:

I have a porblem with redlineenergy drink. i drank the whole can yesterday, after i drank the can about 4 hours later i started getting shakey, then i started to throw up, i couldnt keep food down, rapid heart rate followed, extreme sweating from my body getting overheated, then my left side muscles started to go cold and hurt, I was awake a good part of the night and it was worse than any illegal drug i have ever tried and I’ve been around. Do NOT drink this drink it is bad news and shouldn’t be legal

And, if you want some "expert" opinion, here's a review from Energy Drink Reviews:

Wow, this drink is some serious stuff. I mean about half the bottle is the warning label, and it is serious, this drink is INSANE. It says that you should not drink it unless you are over 18, which I would say is a good warning. This is the first drink that was to much for me. The bottle says warning potent, but I have had every energy drink I could find without a problem. This Redline, made me feel like I was tweaking out hard core, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. I seriously mean I wasn't enjoying the quick happy buzz that you get from most energy drinks. This was a scary my body is going out of control hot and cold sweats, tweaked out. I had the drink at two in the afternoon and I couldn't sleep until 4 am in the morning.

That's from someone who obviously has a lot of experience with these drinks, and considerable resistance to them.

My friend did not follow directions, drinking an entire can -- but what's with putting two "doses" in one can? Every other energy drink comes in a one-serving can.

And what's in the can? Caffeine, Green Tea, Yerba Mate, 5-HTP (5 hydroxy-1-tryptophan), cAMP, Yohimbe, Evodiamine, and Vinpocetine. And a few other things.

I've thought for some time that it's ironic that people like my friend, who are concerned about their health, eating organic foods and shunning tap water, would ever get close to this stuff.

5-HTP? That's an amino acid that's a precursor to the neurotransmitter seratonin. It's in Red Line because of its alleged appetite suppressant characteristics but it also seems to definitely affect the brain chemistry involving mood and depression -- perhaps enhancing feelings -- but what is a compound that messes with brain chemistry doing in an over-the-counter drink?

Plus, it and Vinpocetine can both cause intestinal upset and rapid heartbeat.

Here's some of what Wikipedia has to say about cAMP:

Role of cAMP in human carcinoma

Some research has suggested that a deregulation of cAMP pathways and an aberrant activation of cAMP-controlled genes is linked to the growth of some cancers.^[1][2][3]

[edit] Role of cAMP in Prefrontal Cortex Disorders

Recent research may indicate that cAMP affects the function of higher order thinking in the prefrontal cortex through its regulation of ion channels called hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (HCN). When cAMP stimulates the HCN, these gates open, rendering the brain cell closed to communication, thus interfering with prefrontal cortex function. This research is of interest to scientists studying the brain, especially the degradation of higher cognitive function in ADHD and aging.^[4]

Again, what's a chemical that messes with brain chemistry doing in an over-the-counter energy drink?

Red Line's attorneys appear to be well aware of the risks of this product. After their intervention, here's the warning label:

WARNING: NOT FOR USE BY INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR NURSING. Consult a physician or licensed qualified health care professional before using this product if you have, or have a family history of, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression or other psychiatric condition, glaucoma, difficulty in urinating, prostate enlargement, or seizure disorder, or if you are using a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or any other dietary supplement, prescription drug, or over-the-counter drug containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (ingredients found in certain allergy, asthma, cough or cold, and weight control products). Do not exceed recommended serving. Exceeding recommended serving may cause adverse health effects. Discontinue use and call a physician or licensed qualified health care professional immediately if you experience rapid heartbeat, dizziness, severe headache, shortness of breath, or other similar symptoms. The consumer assumes total liability if this product is used in a manner inconsistent with label guidelines. Do not use for weight reduction. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

I wrote VPX sports early in the week asking them to explain why they make this product, and why they pack two doses in a can. They have not responded.

I wrote Seven-11 Stores, which is one of the few retail chains that stocks it, and which sold it to my friend, asking them not to stock the drink any more. They have not responded.

Update: VPX called me on 9/18, following up on my email to Seven-11, not my email to them. The man on the phone, while very friendly, defended the drink as appealing to a small market that wanted a substitute for ephedrine, which has been pulled from the market. His reason for calling was because he was required to under FDA regulations, and spend nearly the entire time asking me questions so he could fill out his questionnaire. He did tell me that to his knowledge, no one has died from the drink.

In all the research I've done on this product, including a Nexis media search, I've found no stories by major media outlets on the threat Red Line presents, although I found one story about a similar drink named Spike sent several Denver and Boulder sent several kids to the hospital.

There's something definitely wrong here. VPX is not taking responsibility for its product and is getting away with it. Seven-11 is not taking responsibility for the products it sells and is also getting away with it.

Please pass this along to your kids and/or friends with a warning. Energy drink drinkers, think about going back to good old coffee or black tea and stay away from this junk.

Hair Tests Let You Test for GHB Long After Incident

A good friend who wants to help anyone who thinks she may have been the victim of a drug assisted rape asked me to pass along contact information for two labs that can do hair analysis for date rape drugs.

Victims of drug-assisted rape may not realize that they have been raped until long after other tests for the presence of drugs are no longer reliable. But with hair testing, as long as the relevant section of hair has not been cut off, the hair can be tested -- even months after a sexual assault.

The two labs are The Carlson Company in Colorado and Tox Associates in Ohio.

"Without this test, I would never have known that I was given GHB," she told me.

Vancouver Police Seek Help On Alleged GHB Rapist

A friend of mine forwarded the news article below to me. I've highlighted two key paragraphs: The first one says the Vancouver police department is seeking help on this case, and the second gives some good advice.

VANCOUVER (CBC) - A prominent member of British Columbia's ball hockey community has been released on bail after appearing in court Thursday, charged with spiking women's drinks and sexual assault.

Fernando Manuel Alves of Burnaby was arrested on Sept. 8 and charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of administering a noxious substance.

The 44-year-old pub owner and vice-president of the Western Ball Hockey Association appeared in B.C. provincial court on Thursday, where he was released under strict bail conditions ....

Vancouver police have appealed for more information about Alves, who is accused of alleged offences against four women, aged between 20 and 30 years old, in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Const. Tim Fanning reminded the public to be aware of the risks involved with knowingly going somewhere alone with a new acquaintance.

"Stay with your friends to the end of the night,'' he said. "If you meet somebody that you want to see again, meet them the next day. Don't get in the position of going back with them alone, especially when you've been drinking."

News of Alves's arrest has shocked a former employee at his Burnaby pub.

Scott Klassen, who was a doorman at the Station Square pub until two months ago, described his old boss as "just a regular guy."

"Every night I worked, he worked," Klassen told CBC News. "He never drank on shift. He always seemed to be a clean-cut guy."

Klassen says Alves was very generous with staff.

"He always took people out to football games, hockey games, concerts, provided a limo - you know, free drinks, free night type thing, as a ... hey, thanks for working here type thing."

Childrens Meth

I just recieved this information and would like to share it with all of you! Please read this and pass it on.

If you read this and have had any contact or experience with this, please feel free to tell us about it.

DEAR BETH,

MY NAME IS MICHAEL RUZEVICH. I AM A COOK COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF AND A D.A.R.E OFFICER. I HAD WRITTEN TO YOU ABOUT A MAN WHO IS MY FRIEND, MR DAVID LORENZ. HIS SON DIED A TRAGIC DEATH AS A RESULT OF TAKING WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS ECTASY.

I AM WRITING YOU TO INFORM YOU OF SOMETHING THAT WE ARE BATTLING IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY. IT IS THE PRESENTATION OF THE DRUG CALLED CRYSTAL METH(METHAMPHETAMINE) IN THE FORM OF SOMETHING WE ARE CALLING CHILDRENS METH.

THE REASON WE REFER TO IT AS THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT LOOKS AND SMELLS. IT LOOKS LIKE ROCK CANDY. IT SMELLS LIKE STRAWBERRIES, AND TASTE LIKE STRAWBERRIES AND OTHER VARIOUS FLAVORS THAT WE KNOW OF LIKE, PEANUT BUTTER, CHOCALATE CRUNCH,
MANGO EXPLOSION,AND FRUITY FRUIT PUNCH.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS IS AN AWFUL WAY TO ATTRACT KIDS TO DOING DRUGS. BY YOU DOING WHAT EVER YOU CAN TO GET THIS MESSAGE TO EVERY SOURCE YOU DEAL WITH IN YOUR ORGANIZATION, YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
MAY GOD BLESS THE WORK YOU DO,

MICHAEL RUZEVICH

PLEASE HELP FIND Madeleine (Missing 4 year old)

Please look at these pictures of this cute little girl who was taken.

Please read this message and pass it on!!!!!!!!! As you are aware my niece, Madeleine, is still missing and I am asking everyone I know to send this as a chain letter i.e. you send it to everyone you know and ask them to do the same, as the story is only being covered in Britain, Eire and Portugal. We don't believe that she is in Portugal anymore and need to get her picture and the story across Europe as quickly as possible. Suggestions are welcome.

Phil McCann
McCann's family believes a new picture of the missing four-year -old could play a vital role in the search for her. The photo of the youngster shows clearly her distinctive right eye, where the pupil runs into the blue-green iris. The new poster of Madeleine It is this distinguishing mar k that will identify Madeleine to those on the lookout for her, according to aunt and uncle John and Diane McCann.

The Glasgow couple aim to distribute the appeal poster, which features the Crimestoppers telephone number, as far afield as they can. Family friend Andrew Renwick told Sky News that support for the search had been "overwhelming" and her family were extremely grateful. Her right eye Mrs McCann said: "The purpose of the poster is to highlight the distinction in Madeleine's eye. "We want to make the most of it, because we know her hair could potentially be cut or dyed." Mr McCann added: "The poster was designed by a friend of the family and I've begun Emailing it to acquaintances in different parts of the world.

"I'm asking people to circulate it the best they can and make it be seen." Madeleine's Eye Holds Vital Clue
If you have any information you should contact your local police, RCMP or Crimestoppers without delay.

DXM COMMENT MUST SHARE!

This comment just came in and it is so good and right on I wanted to post it here, so more people can see it! Thank you, Josue I agree with everything you said!!
Beth

Josue has left a new comment on your post "DXM WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?":

I took DXM throughout high school, and a few years afterwards. I had uncontrollable muscle spasms during the times I was taking it the most. My chest would lunge forward and my shoulders and neck would twist. It was painful, and embarrassing, and it happened when I wasn’t high at all. I wanted to say, some of you don’t understand what is going on. This drug affects the nervous system and brain. The damage can be permanent, and as we know, can lead to death. Some of you say it isn’t a big deal to take it, you just have to take no more than such and such amount, and some of you are bragging about taking 30 or 40 tabs, which has killed people before. People who take DXM, or want to take it, are going to do what their friends are doing, and if they hear that someone tripped balls off of 30 tabs, they will try it too. They don’t know what is “safe”. You are all saying different things. Some of you are incredibly heartless too. So many people have died, and all you can do is come on here and brag about how many pills you’ve taken, or how cool your highs have been. I think it is just about as cool as drinking antifreeze. I know what it is like, and I know how much fun it is, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t foolish.

I want to just warn you all out there who might be thinking about taking it or are taking it. You can literally make yourself retarded. It damages the brain and nervous system. Don’t do it. If you are still thinking about taking it after knowing what it does, then you may as well write your suicide note while your at it. So many people have died. I keep hearing stories from friends. They know someone who has died, or their son, daughter, or grandson or daughter has died, or one of their friends… the stories just don’t stop.

I can’t believe they haven’t done more to keep kids safe. So much can be done. I hear they are going to put in another drug that will make a person vomit if they take a certain amount. They need to hurry up and do that before this drug claims more lives.

I don’t know if everyone else has noticed, but some of you can’t write or spell, and I’m wondering…seriously… I know most of you are young, but…

IN MEMORY OF SARA STEVEN CATHY

May is the Month Sara, Steven and Cathy died from Ecstasy! Erin had her accident and brain injury from Ketamine in May also. Please read below about them. You may leave a comment, it will be posted immediately. I have lifted the sreening period for comments.

BETH

Remembering Steven

It was six years ago Sara (below) and Steven died from ecstasy that had PMA in it!

In Memory of:
Steven Lorenz Died May 7th 2000 from
Ecstasy and PMA

He was just 17 years old! His father David still does all he can to help educate the kids on what can happen if you take a drug, and the fact that what they say is in the pill may not be what is really in the pill. You can go on my website, the preview page and see more about Steven.

Be sure to listen to the tribute to Steven made by his Dad, brother and musician friend Joe Center.


Dave Lorenz (left) with Mayor Daley (Center) and Dominick Garza (Right) at a "TARGET AMERICA " Drug Awareness Event in Chicago

Let's Remember Sara

Sara Aeschlimann died May 14th 2000 from Ecstasy and PMA

Sara died on Mother's Day 2001. She took some E on her own, but was slipped more. Sara was the only child of Robert and Jann Aeschlimann, and she was only 18 years old!

You can see a preview of Sara's full story on my preview page.

In Memory of Cathy Isford

Cathy Isford died May 22, 2002 after taking Ecstasy on Prom Night! She was 18 years old, engaged to be married. Her Family Paul, Pat and Star continue to do all they can to spread the word Ecstasy is dangerous, even a couple of pills.

You can see more about Cathy here.

Erin Rose

5 years ago today. May 13th Erin Rose took Ketamine. She stopped breathing for 18 minutes and was left with a severe brain injury.

You can see more on Erin here http://www.voiceofthevictims.com/Preview.htm

OxyContin Heart Break!!

Carol (right photo) is a very special friend who I met while making my film on the dangers of designer drugs. Carol’s sister, Allison (left photo) had just died from GHB.

Now her other and only sister still living is addicted to Oxy Contin!! Carol has been beside herself as to how to help her sister! She doesn’t want to lose her, like she lost Allison. They can’t afford the high prices of a treatment center.
I would love to see this money Purdue has to pay in fines, go to help all those addicted to oxy contin get into treatment programs. I heard today on the News, the amount of the fine is only 6 months of profits made on Oxy Contin. This isn’t really that much!

I want to hear from you all about what you think about this.

Allison dead from GHB

Note: Your comments will be posted immediately. Please be respectful!

Thank you,

Beth

Washington Drug Letter

Washington Drug Letter

May 14, 2007 Monday

Purdue Pleads Guilty to Mislabeling OxyContin

SECTION: Vol. 39 No. 20

LENGTH: 344 words
Purdue Pharma and three current and former company executives pleaded guilty to mislabeling OxyContin and will pay more than $634 million in fines, according to a U.S. prosecutor.
The agreement closed a four-year investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Western District of Virginia over the company's promotion of the painkiller OxyContin (oxycodone HCl). Purdue acknowledged it falsely claimed OxyContin was less addictive, less subject to abuse and less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms than other pain medications, U.S. Attorney John Brownlee said.
"The results of [Purdue's] misrepresentations and crimes sparked one of our nation's greatest prescription drug failures," Brownlee said. Between 1996 and 2002, OxyContin caused 146 deaths and contributed to 318, according to a report from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
The company trained sales representatives to tell healthcare providers that it was more difficult to abuse OxyContin, the attorney general's office said. In addition, the company told some physicians that patients would not experience withdrawal symptoms or develop a tolerance to the drug.
The FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations said the company engaged in "an extensive, long-term conspiracy" to generate higher sales through illegal schemes.
Purdue CEO Michael Friedman, general counsel Howard Udell and former chief medical officer Paul Goldenheim pleaded guilty to misbranding the drug. Friedman will pay $19 million to the Virginia Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Udell will pay $8 million and Goldenheim will pay $7.5 million, the attorney general's office said.
An independent staff will monitor the company and provide reports to the government on the company's business practices, the office said. Purdue noted it has already changed its internal training, compliance and monitoring systems to stop similar events from occurring again.
The company and executives filed their guilty pleas in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Virginia May 10. -- Emily Ethridge
Release date: May 14, 2007

DXM WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

This Post has been getting quite a few comments. I thought I would bring it to the front and let you all continue your thoughts on this one.
Beth

Voice of the Victims films.
Friday, September 29, 2006

Another Triple C DXM Death
This was posted on the Dr. Phil message board site. It was posted by a woman who would like to get the word out, DXM is dangerous and we need to all warn our kids. Please read this and pass it on to others. This is just so sad! The kids really think this is safe! Please tell them it isn't. Thank you,Beth

Tragedy Strikes AgainI'm writing to share with you a terrible thing that I have experienced last Sunday through today and hope that you canspread a message for us. The pain that we, her family and friends are feeling right now is indescribable, and the worst part, so needless.
My daughter's friend, whom she to went to school with since kindergarten, died early last Sunday morning. She was 16 years old. We have known her family since the girls met at Catholic School and kept in touch, saw them at church and school functions, birthday parties, etc. Theycarpooled together their freshman year. She was probably the mostpopular girl I have ever met, loved by the girls as well as the boys, a super soccer and la crosse player.
She was just beautiful with big blue eyes, long blond hair.Last Monday, she took 24 'triple C' pills. Triple C is plain oldcough, cold, codeine over the counter pills we give our children when they are sick. Triple C is the new high for teenagers.
She was not angry, unhappy or anything else. She was not a drug user. She just wanted to get high and heard this was a fun and easy way to do it. When she began vomiting Tuesday morning and couldn't stop, her parents took her to Children's Hospital in Orange.
Although she text messaged a friend on Monday night about what she had done, she didn't tell the doctors, the nurses, or her parents. Neither did her friend or any of the other friends who were forwarded the text message. For four days, test after test was being done to figure out what was wrong. Still no one said anything.
On Friday, she slipped into a coma and was given last rites before being flown to UCLA Medical Ctron Saturday morning. Her liver had completely failed and she passed at 2:30 a.m.The Memorial Service yesterday at La Purisima was the saddest day I have ever spent.

The church was full (it holds 1200), several hundred teens alone. To see her in that white coffin weighing 25# or so more than her tiny self and looking years older because she was full of toxins was a sobering sight for those kids. As that little coffin was rolled down the church aisle today flanked by her brother and cousins, followed by her grieving aunt, grandmother and parents,

I swear the whole church was sobbing. Her poor dad was taken to St Joe's at the conclusion of the church service for a potential heart attack (his third) and missed the 16 white doves let at the graveside. If this girl had known how many people loved, adored her...I know she didn't think taking all those pills would kill her, just give her a high, make her feel good for awhile. I know if she could have seen all those people with so much pain in them these last days,she would have thought twice about putting those pills in her mouth.
These kids think they are invincible, that death cannot touch them at 16. They just have no idea. I had never heard of 'triple C' being used as a high or 'huffing' which is opening the cold capsule and snorting it. But when I asked around, all the kids were very aware of the term and the high.

If each one of us tells one person about this story, and that person tells someone else, and they tell someone, and so forth, maybe we can help some other teen avoid dying so needlessly, avoid ruining their parents’ lives, hurting their friends and family.
posted by Beth @ 12:52 AM

30 Comments:

At 4:02 PM, Rik Martin said…
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At 10:18 PM, Anonymous said…
im so sorry to hear that...i lost my lil brother 2 triple c......

At 9:18 PM, Anonymous said…
A few hours ago, My best friend Jaimee OD'ed she went to a local hospital, now she has been flown to a bigger City hospital. No one knows her condition yet. A friend's brother that was with her told me that she had taken 60 Triple C's. The worst part is waiting to and not knwing how she is.

At 6:56 AM, Anonymous said…
wow.... im only 13 years old and ive been takeing triple c it kinda makes you feel like you are invinsible until you throw up it feels like yours loungs are in your throat after this story i guess i should stop. im sorry to hear what happened thanks for shareing it with me

At 1:04 PM, 2 high school kids said…
okay so that is all so totally scary. all of our friends and i pop triple c's to get a high now and then... usually 14 or 16 maybe even 12 for people who do it alot but like 8 or newbies. and its weird that u can actually die from it.never thought of it like that. i figured it was just coughmedicine. although ive never heard of neone "huffing it"but another thing someone should bring up is how Metimucil contains 30mg of DXM just like triple c's...and lots of people pop those too...when wal mart runs out or c's.

At 6:40 PM, Anonymous said…
this is very sad i am of only 12 years old and i have gotten exspeeled from my middle scholl 4 tripple c i was careless and stupid and now even after they took my friends life i pop them just tooo see if they will take mine to be with her i knew hwe 10 years i luv her and miss her i rpay 4 to this day i am only 12 and lost 5 friends to drug over dosees i cant stad my self but plz if u or some one u know uses tripple its not worth it im not say to but use pot as a subsatut but it can not kill you after one time

At 3:02 PM, Anonymous said…
im 13 years old and i tried triple c's in school. my friend and i made a deal, i was giving her my diet pills for her trippin pills. im now expelled from school because of it. im very sorry to hear about what happened to you. i had to go to the emergency room,because i almost passed out. thankfully, it wasnt a huge deal, i only took 7 of them. but still, stuff like this makes me really sad,knowing that i did the same kind of thing and i am very very thankful.

At 5:00 PM, nikki said…
i was close with this girl. i love her and miss you soooooo much. we all pray for her and never will forget her bright smiling face.

At 6:01 AM, Anonymous said…
i have a 15yo daughter who has been doing triple c's and she stopped for awhile, like 4-5 months and then out of the blue she popped the pills because she had a bad day. she freaked out at the mall and i was not there; she thought she was having a heart attack. i am so worried about her and she is a smart girl and knows what these pills can do to her

At 9:00 PM, Anonymous said…
I'm in the eighth grade. Almost all of my friends pop triple c, except for me. I can't do anything about it, even though i've tried. None of them really know what it can do. They think it's just an easy way to get high. I dont know what to do anymore.:[

At 3:14 PM, Anonymous said…
This is the most rediculous display of childishness i think ive ever seen. Im 21 years old and was introduced to coricidin about 9 months ago. I have a very addictive personality, so naturally i was hooked very shortly thereafter. It started with 8 pills a night. Within a week, i had uped it to 8 pills twice a day. Within 3 more weeks, i had been popping 16 at a time on my days off from work, and 8 sometimes up to 3 times a day while i was working. Keep in mind this was an everyday occurance. EVERY DAY. Well, as you can imagine, things didnt go so well for me in the comming months. I became very irratible to anyone and everyone, on occasion i would have fits of rage, dillusions that i was better than everyone else. Things along those lines. But then the depression came when things started falling down around me... i lost my job, (which by the way was my 12th and highest payed job yet) i lost the respect that i so desperatly strived for in my 2 best friends, and i lost my girl...all in the same day. Not to mention my parents. They ruined my life... they ruined everything. And then i tried to commit suicide. How you ask? ccc's of course. I took my last 20 bucks down to the store (which i wont name) and bought 80 pills. Took them all... I was done; it was over. But then an hour or so later, my father came to visit me and found me in a coma. Obviously he called 911, and a long story short, I woke up the next day completly out of it, and in the hospital. They used some sort of charcoal as an antidote, and it was like a miracle that i made it through. Here i am, 3 months later after i got out of that hospital, after i was baker acted, and after i went through byfar the worst time in my entire life, and im still that guy... i just cant seem to get away from the c's. I take them alot less than before, but there just so damn addictive... they made me into who i am today. All i want to say here, especially to those 16 or 17 yr. olds, is, learn from my mistakes... quit now because they've destroyed me...and lemme tell you, it aint easy pickin up the pieces and movin on. Now, i did have other drugs influencing me, (Pot, coke, meth, speed) but the root of all of that is the c's... DON'T DO DRUGS KIDS, YOU'LL REGRET IT, I GUARENTEE.

At 8:31 AM, Anonymous said…
I'm sorry to hear about her death. I'm 18 yrs old and I was just recently introduced to Triple C's. I had no reason for why i tool them, I just did. The only drug that I've tried all my life was Pot and which i still intend to do. But Triple C's I did enjoy my first time, I took 8. I've taken Triple C's twice. It's not really my thing and after lookin'up information on these pills i'm glad that I've found this site, reading everyone's comments helped me realize that This type of dumb shit isn't gonna help you get over things or feel better. so yeah I just wanted to share my experience and once again i'm sorry hear about the 16 year old girl and all the death's everyone around the world has witnessed from Triple c's.

At 5:32 AM, Anonymous said…
that is ridicuolous. I used to do c's when I was young. It is dangerous to take it, because of two ingrediants that both attack the same enzyme in your liver--this is what causes the so