On the identical day a younger lady who tragically died in Sylvan Lake over Easter weekend was laid to relaxation, her central Alberta household stated the dying was preventable and urged different dad and mom to speak to their youngsters about drug use.
Olivia Daybreak Johnson, 13, of Pink Deer and one other 12-year-old lady from Sylvan Lake died on Sunday, April 9, in a room on the Finest Western Resort, the city about 9 miles west of Pink Deer, which is well-liked with vacationers. and multiples.
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RCMP are investigating the deaths of two women present in central Alberta lodge room
The evening Olivia handed, her household stated she was at a party with a good friend.
The household stated the ladies went swimming on the lodge pool, ate dinner after which slept in their very own room whereas a mother or father stayed within the room subsequent door and checked in periodically.
“There are not any phrases for the way tragic and pointless Olivia’s dying was,” her household stated in a press release to World Information. The household stated they did the toughest factor possible on Tuesday: saying goodbye to their Olivia.
“It is nonetheless arduous to imagine that every one of that is actual, and all of us stay in a state of shock and grief.”
Police stated there are not any indications that Olivia or the opposite lady took their very own lives or have been murdered, and imagine the deaths have been non-criminal.
The official explanation for dying continues to be being decided, however police instructed the household it was most certainly an overdose.
Police additionally stated publicly final week that an overdose is being investigated, however toxicology testing takes wherever from a couple of days to a couple months to finish.
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The household stated they’re assured the RCMP investigation will make clear how the evening unfolded and made an impassioned plea Tuesday for fogeys to have frank conversations with their youngsters about medicine.
“Please take Olivia’s passing and convey some mild out of it – use this expertise to speak to your youngsters,” the household stated.
Olivia was a traditional 13-year-old lady doing regular 13-year-old issues, the Johnson household stated.
“Medicine have been by no means one thing we nervous about, nevertheless it solely takes one time to go fully incorrect.”
Olivia Daybreak Johnson, 13, of Pink Deer, Alta.
Credit score: Pink Deer Native Dance Group
Final week, her household stated {the teenager} was a compassionate soul, all the time beneficiant together with her kindness and caring for others. She liked to snort, and her humorousness was contagious, usually making others snort together with her, the household stated.
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Lady, 13, who died in Sylvan Lake remembered by household: ‘We’re unhappy and devastated’
There have been “no indications that this was one thing she thought of, and people round her can’t think about how this might ever occur to her.”
Take time to speak to your younger adults, the household urged different dad and mom, and inform them concerning the dangers.
“We’d by no means need anybody else to expertise every little thing we have now.
“The disappointment and harm appear even larger once we assume that it may have been prevented.”
Olivia’s household pleaded with dad and mom to hug their younger adults and encourage them to speak and ask questions – even when every little thing is “regular” and “okay”.
“It may possibly make all of the distinction,” the household stated.
Based on Alberta authorities information, 1,496 folks within the province died from drug poisoning in 2022.
This contains deadly substances akin to cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, benzodiazepines and any opioid (non-pharmaceutical opioids akin to fentanyl, heroin, designer opiates (ie U-4470) and pharmaceutical opioids akin to codeine, hydromorphone, methadone).
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The gaps in between: A have a look at Edmonton’s opioid epidemic
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