Mother urges parents to secure paracetamol after tragedy

A mother is warning parents about the dangers of paracetamol after her 15-year-old daughter, Alice Clark, died from an overdose. Alice struggled with mental health issues linked to exam stress and negative messages on TikTok. Her overdose happened over two days, but friends did not tell adults after she confessed to taking pills. Joanne Garcia-Dias, Alice's mother, called for urgent action after finding out about her daughter's struggles through a diary and messages on her phone. Alice was hospitalized after becoming sick but died three days later from acute liver failure. Joanne now campaigns to make paracetamol prescription-only. She believes it is too easy for young people to access the drug. She urges parents to keep all medications locked away and to be aware of the signs of mental health struggles in their children. Paracetamol is available over-the-counter and can be very dangerous if taken in excess. Symptoms of an overdose include jaundice, irritability, and stomach pain. Last year, 261 deaths in England and Wales were linked to overdoses of this common painkiller. Joanne emphasizes the importance of communication between parents and children. She wants to raise awareness that mental health issues can escalate quickly and that it's crucial to seek help if needed.