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'THEY'RE JUST SWEETS'

Girls, 12, who were hospitalised after taking ecstasy pills thought ‘teddy tablets’ were sugary treats

One girl left in coma after near-tragedy which has led to two arrests in Salford

THREE schoolgirls who were struck down by ecstasy pills nicknamed “teddy tablets” thought they were “just sweets”.

Two of the 12-year-olds each swallowed three tablets sending one into a coma.

Lucy Hall
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Victim ... Lacy, 12, was rushed to hospital after her mum says she took half an ecstasy pill

The mum of the third girl — Lacy Hall — last night revealed her daughter had only half a pill because she did not like it.

The girls were taken to hospital after a passer-by summoned help.

Lacy’s mum Hayley Murray, told The Sun how the children took the tablets at a shopping centre near their homes in Salford.

Salford Shopping Centre teddy tablets.
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Drug find ... Shopping centre where girls took 'teddy tablets'Credit: Sanpics

Hayley, 34, said: “One of the girls took three and said, ‘They’re just sweets’. The other followed suit and washed them down with a fizzy drink.

“Lacy said she only bit half of one and didn’t like the taste.

“The other two took a bad turn and started suffering.

ecstasy tablets
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Pills ... Two of the girls are believed to have taken three ecstasy tablets eachCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

"When someone called a paramedic, two of the girls ran off. Thank God they were found and taken to hospital.

“I don’t know how the girls came across the drugs. It’s disgusting — someone either left them lying around or gave them to a kid.”

"It's terrible. I hope the person responsible is suffering with guilt and knows what they've done.

"I'm just praying the other girls make it through."

The Sun understands one of Lacy’s pals was woken from a coma on Monday morning before being moved to intensive care.

A man who answered the door at the girl’s home on Monday told The Sun: "Yesterday was a nightmare but today she is awake and is going to move wards.

Salford precinct
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Hospitalised ... Girls were found by a passer-by at this shopping precinct and rushed to Manchester Children's HospitalCredit: Google Earth

“If I knew the name of the person who gave them the tablets I would tell you to name and shame them."

It is thought Lacy’s other friend was airlifted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, to be treated while Lacy was expected to be discharged and allowed home.

All the girls are in a stable condition.

Cops arrested a man, 22, and woman, 21, and bailed them.

It is thought "teddy tablets" are being sold on the streets for as little as 50p each, according to a relative of one of the victims.

Sun doctor Carol Cooper warned of the dangers of ecstasy for adults and kids, saying: “It’s just really sad people are willing to take the risk.”

It’s disgusting — someone either left them lying around or gave them to a kid

Hayley MurrayMum of victim Lacy

A spokesman for the school the girls attended said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent news.

“We have no higher priority than the safety and well-being of all of our students.

"When an incident takes place out of school we will do everything that we can to support our young people and their families."

It is believed schools around Salford will deliver anti-drug talks to pupils in response to the shocking case.


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