Death of teenager in Brighton linked to legal drug craze (From The Argus)

Death of teenager in Brighton linked to legal drug craze

10:30am Thursday 26th November 2009 in News Exclusive By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

Children as young as 11 are becoming hooked on a legal drug craze linked to the death of a teenager.

14-year-old Gabi Price, of Coleridge Crescent, Worthing, died in hospital on Saturday night after suffering a cardiac arrest at a party in Moulsecoomb.

UPDATE: Post-mortem results released in December show that Gabi died of natural causes

One of Gabi's friends who was at the party in Birdham Road described how he had watched her dying after she had taken the drug.

A post mortem into Gabi's death was inconclusive and Sussex Police are still awaiting toxicology results to find out whether drugs played a part in her death.

An 18-year-old friend from Westdene, Brighton, told The Argus youngsters were regularly taking the legal high mephedrone, known as miaow, and did not understand how dangerous it was.

Police say they can do little about the drug, despite a government warning that it can cause fits, because there is no legislation for them to enforce.

It is illegal to sell mephedrone for human consumption but it is sold on the internet as plant food. The Home Office has said it is investigating the substance as a “priority”.

Gabi’s grandfather Adrian Price, speaking for the family, said last night: “Gabi was a lively and lovely girl whose untimely death has left an enormous hole in the lives of her family and wide circle of friends.

”She was a fantastic daughter and granddaughter; a shining light has been extinguished and will never be re-lit."

For information about drugs call Talk to Frank on 0800 77 66 00. If you have a problem with drugs you can get advice from the city's RU-OK service on 01273 293966.