Jason Reinhardt, 21, Dies of Alcohol Poisoning

Jason Reinhardt tried to do a fraternity ritual, a "power hour"--21 shots in an hour, to celebrate his twentyfirst birthday.  Instead, he died March 15, 2004.

Reaching your 21st birthday is an important milestone in life. It's a time of celebration. Unfortunately, it can be a day of tragedy, as it was for Jason Reinhardt. Reinhardt turned 21 this year. On his birthday, he died from an overdose of alcohol, while trying to consume 21 drinks in an hour. Jason's mother, Ann Buchanan, hopes the death of her son can shock young people into realizing that alcohol is legal, but lethal.

Minnesota State University, Moorhead is a dry campus. But if you're a student, you can always find a place to drink. Jason Reinhardt did. He'd been a student here. He was a member of a local fraternity. Reinhardt spent his 21st birthday partying with fraternity friends at a local bar. Following a ritual known as the "power hour," where kids turning 21 try to throw down 21 drinks in an hour. Reinhardt made it to 16.

That night he slept at the frat house. Friends say when they checked on Jason, he was fine. But the next day, Reinhardt was found in bed lying in his own vomit. He was dead. For Jason's mom, Ann Buchanan, March 15 is a tragic day.  "I have always had a premonition that I was going to lose one of my boys," says Buchanan. "Twenty-five years ago on the Ides of March, my parents were killed in a plane crash. Then Jason was born on the ides of March, and the family thought, 'Oh good, we've finally had something positive happen on the ides of March.' Then, Jason passed away on the Ides of March, so it's been haunting."

Jason Reinhardt was the oldest of Buchanan's three sons. She says he was a good kid. An "A" student. There were no discipline problems. Jason was dependable and trustworthy. He got his first job -- delivering newspapers -- when he was 13.

Since Jason's death, Buchanan has talked with his friends. She's learned that Jason was no stranger to alcohol, but his behavior at parties showed he could drink responsibly. "He chose to have one drink, he babied it for an hour. He made sure he was eating. He just had one drink every hour," says Buchanan. "So in a way, Jason's power hour was his first time for binge drinking. His first and his last."

In all cases, my deepest condolences to family and friends.

Underage Alcohol Deaths 2004
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2005
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2006

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing, the heartbeat and the gag reflex that prevents choking. A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. After the victim stops drinking, the heart keeps beating, and the alcohol in the stomach continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the system. The victim may experience the following:

• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unable to rouse the person
• No response to pinching the skin
• Vomiting while sleeping or unresponsive
• Seizures
• Slowed breathing  (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
• Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
• Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness

Alcohol Poisoning Requires Immediate Medical Attention

Alcohol Poisoning Cannot Be Reversed By:

• Drinking black coffee
• Taking a cold bath or shower
• Walking it off

The victim must have immediate medical attention.
Call 911, stay with the victim to prevent him choking on vomit, and tell emergency personnel how much alcohol the victim drank.

These Children Died of Alcohol Overdose, So Their Parents Started Foundations:

Taylor Webster's memorial foundation.  Taylor died of alcohol  poisoning at age 19-- Now his family and friends are working  to get the message out, telling their stories and providing  information on alcohol poisoning and the signs and symtoms  of alcohol poisoning in hopes that lives will be saved.

Bradley McCue's memorial foundation.  On November 5, 1998  Bradley turned 21. . He celebrated  his birthday in a way that has become increasingly popular, drinking "his  age in shots". That amount of alcohol was lethal and he died  that night of alcohol poisoning.

Samantha Spady's memorial foundation. A 19-year old student at Colorado State University, Spady died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004, "an unintentional tragedy."  The Spadys say the SAM [Student Alcohol Management] Spady Foundation will develop peer-to-peer counseling and other services meant to reduce the risk of alcohol abuse.

Gordie Bailey's memorial foundation Mission: to provide today’s youth with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, and through education and promotion of self worth prevent alcohol poisoning, binge drinking and hazing. 

Kimberly Ostien's memorial foundation: "With binge drinking on the rise, we feel it necessary to get the message out on the danger of alcohol, especially excessive alcohol consumed in a short period of time.  Students are educated on drugs and alcohol but they will continue to experiment no matter what.  We want to educate on what to do when a friend falls down or passes out from drinking.  Often we want to put that person to bed to sleep it off and that is when the trouble can begin."  The card lists the information, above.

Comments

[Banna Jo]

Jason's story was powerfull andI hope people read it and realize what happend. I'm doing a research projecct on the "Power Hour" and how it effects everyone in the long run, Jason will be part of my project and I hope people reach out to this and make smart choices.

[Jason Nathaniel Reinhardt]

My name is Jason Reinhardt...I can relate to this article. When I turned 21, I am 22 now, but I also was entered into the " Power Hour " when I was partying with some friends from Wake Forest University. It was a huge mistake, and I got alchohol poisining. I was very greatful that it wasn't fatal. The Power Hour is highly over-rated and very dangerous. People needs to think about there life ahead, rather than the day of the 21'st year.

[Colleen Peterson]

I used to work with Jason. He was the kindest sweetest guy ever. He made working an enjoyable time. It is so sad that something so stupid has taken away someone so wonderful. I will always remember him and what an amazing person he was.

[Connie Grzadzielewski]

My son is attending a friends wake as I write this. Josh was 20 and died last Friday night from alcohol poisoning. He also was a good boy. Respectful, never in trouble, but liked to drink. This is a such a sad thing. Josh did not deserve to die this way. These kids need to be educated more on alcohol and what it can do to you.
There are still many unanswered questions regarding what actually happened to Josh. I hope the truth comes out.
I know of to many kids who drink on a regular basis. I wonder how many actually get close to dying and don't even know it.

Thank You

[Coach Jones]

I teach at Page High School and my students are curently in the Substance Abuse Unit - I shared your story in hopes of reaching out to them - I think knowing what happen to this young man and students like him will help open their eyes.