Sonya Harvey was denied bail Thursday during a hearing at provincial court in St. John's. (CBC)

A young woman whom a judge once described as the poster child of an OxyContin crisis remained in custody in St. John's Friday, charged with committing an armed robbery.

Sonya Harvey was denied bail on Thursday during an appearance at provincial court. Harvey appeared to be visibly shaken while she was escorted to and from court by sheriff's officers.

The scene was an echo from one in 2003, when Harvey's ordeal with the law drew public attention to a public health crisis about OxyContin, a powerful prescription narcotic that had become a popular street drug in the city area.

A judge ordered Harvey to enter a drug rehabilitation program. Her mother, Maureen Harvey, became an outspoken advocate for rehabilitation for addicts.

In an interview three years ago, while in recovery, Sonya Harvey said she had "hit rock bottom 20 or 30 times."

Harvey's case put a human face on an issue that led to a commission, far tighter rules in how narcotics are prescribed, and expanded methadone treatment for addicts.

Harvey, 25, was arrested Wednesday, shortly after a woman armed with a knife attempted to steal money from the Jackman & Greene convenience store on Cookstown Road, in downtown St. John's.

Harvey, who is charged with armed robbery, using a disguise with intent to commit a criminal offence and breaching a court order, will remain in custody until her next court appearance, in October.

Harvey's arrest shocked Ron Fitzpatrick, executive director of Turnings, an organization that works with former criminals and with people with drug addiction problems.

"Such a sad thing to happen to a young lady who's been through hell and back," said Fitzpatrick.

Harvey's family told CBC News that Harvey made a suicide attempt by drug overdose a few weeks ago, after her access to a seven-month-old son had been curtailed.

Sonya Harvey was treated outside the province. Fitzpatrick and members of Harvey's family both wonder whether a long-term drug rehabilitation service in St. John's would have helped her.

"If we had a long-term treatment centre … where people who love her, like her mom and her family and her close friends, they could have been there for her, to visit her at any time," Fitzpatrick said.

"Little things — it's the little things that mean a lot," he said.