RCMP investigate allegations of health-care worker exchanging drugs for sex with Maple Ridge teen

A Maple Ridge mother is speaking out about a health-care worker she claims took advantage of her troubled daughter.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, claims a hospital employee preyed on her daughter’s prescription drug addiction in order to procure sex.

“We’re obviously very concerned and our whole family is distraught right now,” she said.

She said her 17-year-old daughter went from being a straight-A student to a drug addict in just months after abusing her zopiclone prescription. The teen was given the insomnia medication to help with stress at school.

As the addiction worsened, the teen posted a provocative ad on Craigslist. Her 19-year-old friend said a man responded to the ad, saying he worked at Royal Columbian Hospital.

According to the friend, “He pretty much said, ‘I’m from the hospital, I’m able to get you what you’re looking for. If that’s something that you’re interested in, did you want to meet up?'”

She said the man picked them up from her house in Maple Ridge and the three of them drove to a nearby park.

“So they would go to a secluded area and that’s where the sexual act would take place,” said the friend. “Then, when they were done, he would just give her the drugs from his backpack and then they would come back to the car and we would go home.”

A spokesperson for Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed they have launched an investigation into the case and witnesses were interviewed Wednesday. RCMP say they are working with New Westminster Police because some of the alleged incidents may have happened in that jurisdiction.

In a statement, Fraser Health spokesperson Jacqueline Blackwell said, “since this is an active RCMP investigation we can’t elaborate on any details or individuals involved but are fully cooperating with the RCMP regarding this case.”

The teen is currently in hospital getting help, says her mother. She worries for other vulnerable teens, given no one has been arrested.

“For him to use a 17-year-old girl, I find it disgusting,” she said. “You can’t get away with that.”

– With files from Rumina Daya