FRIENDS and family have held a candlelit vigil to pay tribute to a 20-year-old woman who died after taking cocaine.

Haniska Pett, of Valley Drive, Gravesend, died on October 19 in Darent Valley Hospital after taking the drug at a friends house and having a fit.

Her parents, Angela and Ian, attended the vigil, which was held at the Riverside Tavern in Strood. Around 100 of her friends also attended the venue which was one of Haniska’s favourite places to go out.

Her mum said: “Haniska would of loved it, she would have been up there on the stage dancing.”

Haniska’s parents are now urging other people to not take any form of drug.

Angela said: “It is a braver person who says no than a silly person who says yes. Brave people can hold their head up high.”

The 45-year-old has said Haniska was very loving, had a loud laugh and always wanted to please everyone.

“The first thing you saw about her was her smile.”

Haniska first started taking cocaine around two years ago after being persuaded by a former boyfriend. She then stopped for around six months but in the last few weeks started up again.

Her mum said: “She used it during the weekends, you could tell when she had used it and when she hadn’t. It caused a lot of arguments.”

“They think they are numb to it and can’t die from cocaine only heroin and dirty needles. She didn’t believe it could kill her.

“There were days when you could talk to her about it but days when you knew you couldn’t”

The former pupil of Northfleet School for Girls in Hall Road, Northfleet, was a very keen hairdresser and worked at hair salon, Ivana, in Wrotham Road, Gravesend. She was also a keen horserider, having ridden since the age of eight.

Her mum said: “She was very unique and individual with her style. Sometimes she would leave the house with red hair and come home with blue hair.”

Her mum added: “If there are any parents out who think their child is using drugs then don’t bury your head in the sand.

“Be there and talk to them about it, it is difficult for them not just the family.”

Haniska’s funeral will take place tomorrow (Oct 30) at Medway Crematorium in Chatham It has been called Haniska’s last night out and everyone is being urged to dress up as if they were going out for the night.