Family of Sylvan Lake victim urges families to talk about drugs: ‘It could make all of the difference’ | 24CA News
On the identical day a younger woman who died tragically over Easter weekend in Sylvan Lake was laid to relaxation, her central Alberta household stated the dying was preventable and urged different mother and father to speak to their children about substance use.
Olivia Dawn Johnson, 13, from Red Deer, and one other 12-year-old woman from Sylvan Lake, died on Sunday, April 9, in a room on the Best Western Hotel the city about 15 kilometres west of Red Deer that’s in style with recreationists and lake-goers.
The evening Olivia handed, her household stated she was with a buddy at a birthday gathering.
The household stated the women went swimming on the resort’s pool, had dinner after which had been having a sleepover in their very own room whereas a dad or mum stayed within the room subsequent door, checking in periodically.
“There are no words for how tragic and unnecessary Olivia’s death was,” her household stated in an announcement to Global News. The household stated they did the toughest factor possible on Tuesday: saying goodbye to their Olivia.
“It is still hard to believe this is all real, and we all remain in a state of shock and grief.”
Police stated there aren’t any indications Olivia or the opposite woman took their very own lives or had been killed, and consider the deaths had been non-criminal.
The official reason behind dying remains to be being decided. Police stated an overdose is being appeared into, however toxicology testing takes anyplace from just a few days to some months to finish.
The household stated it’s assured the RCMP investigation will make clear how the night unfolded and, on Tuesday, made an impassioned plea for fogeys to have frank conversations with their children about medicine.
“Please take Olivia’s passing and bring a bit of light from it — use this experience to talk to your children,” the household stated.
Olivia was a traditional 13-year-old woman, doing regular 13-year-old issues, the Johnson household stated.
“Drugs were never something we worried about, but it only takes once for it to go all wrong.”
Olivia Dawn Johnson, 13, from Red Deer, Alta.
Credit: Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe
Last week, her household stated {the teenager} was a compassionate soul, all the time beneficiant along with her kindness and caring for others. She liked to giggle, and her sense of humour was contagious, typically making others giggle proper alongside along with her, the household stated.
Read extra:
Girl, 13, who died in Sylvan Lake remembered by household: ‘We are heartbroken and devastated’
There had been “no indications this was something she was thinking about, and those around her can’t imagine how this could ever happen to her.”
Take time to speak to your younger adults, the household urged different mother and father, and inform them concerning the dangers.
“We would never want anyone else to experience all that we have.
“The grief and hurt seem even greater when we think that maybe it could have been prevented.”
Olivia’s household pleaded with mother and father to hug their younger adults tight, and encourage them to speak and ask questions — even when all the pieces is “normal” and “ok.”
“It could make all of the difference,” the household stated.
According to Government of Alberta knowledge, 1,496 folks within the province died in 2022 from drug poisonings.
That consists of deaths substances equivalent to cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and any opioid (non-pharmaceutical opioids like fentanyl, heroin, designer opiates (i.e. U-4470) and pharmaceutical opioids like codeine, hydromorphone, methadone).
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