Cllr Dee Quigley.
FOUR teenage boys cheated death after overdosing on MS drugs, medics have told their parents.
A councilor in Derry says doctors have told their anguished families that the boys would have died if they had not been found on Wednesday night.
The Derry Daily revealed on Friday that the teens – all aged 14 and 15 – were rushed to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry after being found on the Galliagh estate.
They had overdosed on prescribed Multiple Sclerosis medication belonging to a grandfather of one of the boys.
A source told us: “When the paramedics found them, they were off their faces. They were in a bad, bad way.’’
The secondary school boys had been put ventilation machines after they were admitted to hospital.
All four boys are now stable in hospital and are said to be making a good recovery.
Derry independent councilor Dermot ‘Dee’ Quigley said the mother of one of the boys was told that they would have died if they had not been found.
Mr Quigley said the boys were found unconscious by friends who then raised the alarm.
He urged young people not to take drugs were not prescribed for them.
“I would urge all people to ensure that all drugs are kept safely locked away,’’ said the anti-drugs campaigner.
“This incident shows that even teenagers can be curious and but for the quick actions of their friends we could have been looking at a major tragedy.
“I think we should also praise the responsible attitude of these teenagers’ friends by the way they responded to the crisis.’’
The PSNI are actively investigating the incident.
A spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances and to identify the nature of the substance.”
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