Tributes paid to teenager feared to be victim of drugs
TRIBUTES have flooded in for a teenage girl who was found dead in a rural town on Saturday.
The 17-year-old, named by friends online as Meighan Reid, was found at an address in Innerleithen, Peeblesshire.
Police suspect that the teenager’s death is drug related, although it is understood that a post mortem examination is yet to take place.
Police Scotland would not officially confirm the name of the deceased girl yesterday. There were reports of officers stationed outside the address where the body was found throughout Saturday.
A nearby telephone box was also reported to be cordoned off, although it is unknown whether it was connected to the death.
It is thought that the teenager was living in Scottish Borders Housing Association accommodation.
It is unclear whether she was living with family. Only two weeks ago Miss Reid wrote online that she was hoping to move from Innerleithen to the nearby town of Peebles in a house swap.
Devastated friends in the quiet rural community paid tribute to the dead girl in comments posted online.
Amanda-louise Kerr said: ‘Don’t want to believe what I’m hearing Meighs.
‘You were one of the most beautiful girls I knew, with the biggest heart.
‘So many people are going to miss you.
‘Sorry that we haven’t been as close since leaving school but I’m glad that you always felt you could talk to me about anything regardless of how long we hadn’t seen each other for.
‘I’m really going to miss our little chats.
‘The angels will look after you. RIP.’
Jordan Harrison wrote: ‘RIP to one of my close friends Meighan Reid, grew up with you since we were little.
‘I’m gonna miss all your chats, you telling me all your problems.
‘Telling me to stop driving like a d**k, encouraging me to do better things growing up. You will be greatly missed. I will see you one day.’
Caitlin Murray added: ‘RIP Meighan Reid taken too early but will never be forgotten.’
Others writing online appeared to be concerned that the effects of drug use, which are usually felt most keenly in the inner cities, are now reaching into rural areas.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Police in the Borders are investigating the unexplained death of a 17-year-old woman after her body was discovered in an address in Innerleithen on Saturday, November 18. It would appear to be a drug related death.’
Police have been making efforts to target the drug trade in the Scottish Borders in recent years.
This year Police Scotland have launched numerous raids in specialist operations, making arrests and seizing cash as well as drugs including cannabis, cocaine, MDMA (Ecstacy) and diazepam.
In 2015, Chief Superintendent Gill Imery revealed that drug use was driving up crime and violence in the region.
She added: ‘There is a drug issue in the Scottish Borders. As we stop the supply chain the price goes up and so does the drug debts.
‘These drug debts lead to other crimes being committed.’
‘Angels will look after you’ ‘Appears to be drug related’