Parents say girl in drug tragedy ‘charmed everyone’

Poppy Rodgers died early on Friday after taking a “yellow-white” paste thought to contain amphetamine.

Her parents paid tribute to their daughter last night, saying she had “a personality that charmed everyone” and “a family that would provide her with anything”.

But they added the York College student had come into contact with people “who encouraged her to make bad choices”.

Their statement issued through North Yorkshire Police said: “Poppy was a bright, young girl with the world ahead of her. She had a personality that charmed everyone and from a very young age put a smile on the face of everyone who met her.

“She had two loving parents and a family that would provide her with everything, and all the support that she could possibly need.

“Sadly, along with her open nature came a certain naive view of the world, and Poppy would trust everyone that she met in her all too short life.

“Over the last year, she was able to be influenced by those outside her family who didn’t have her best interest at heart. She came into contact with people, much older than her, who encouraged her to make bad choices and we regret that the result of this is what we are dealing with today.

“We have lost a beautiful, funny and charming daughter and we miss her terribly.”

Paramedics were called to a property in Tang Hall Lane, York, at around 11.30pm on Thursday and rushed Poppy to York District Hospital in an ambulance. She died despite attempts to resuscitate her.

Her death prompted police and health officials to issue an urgent health warning for people in the area not to risk taking any substance with a similar description. Anyone who does and has concerns is advised to seek immediate medical advice.

A 21-year-old man, also believed to have taken the substance, which is still being analysed, was discharged from York District Hospital on Sunday.

A 23-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, both from York, who were arrested in connection with the investigation, were bailed on Saturday.