2005: Alcohol OD Deaths on Campus and Among Teens

In 2004, at least nineteen people of college age  died of alcohol toxicity (alcohol poisoning, alcohol overdose).

"There's no place  that's actually keeping data on alcohol deaths"--Thomas Kunstman MD

Alcohol Overdose Deaths on Campus or Those Under Age
[decedent's name with link], [age], [DoD], [university] [BAC]

1. Keith Cholette, 20, January 1, 2005, Eastern Michigan University, BAC unknown.
2. Kimberly Lane, 19, January 13, 2005, Arizona State University (Tempe), AZ, BAC 0.34
3. Sarah Pena ,  15,  January 29, 2005, Fontana (San Bernadino County), CA, BAC 0.383
4. Nathan Black, 21,  January 31, 2005, West Greenwich, Rhode Island, no BAC reported.
6. Jacob Jordan Sigalas, 14,  March 4, 2005,  Pascagoula, MS, BAC unknown.
7. Christopher P. Berry, 22, March 11, 2005, New Mexico State University (Las Cruces), NM, BAC  0.459
8. Meredith Kenneff, 20, March 12, 2005, Duquesne University, PA, BAC not reported.
9. Brandon Scott William, 19, May 2005, Fayetteville NC, BAC not known but "high".
10. Ryan Koenen, 16, June 25, 2006, Hawarden, Iowa, BAC not known but cause of death was "acute alcohol intoxication".
11. Darren R. Wilson, 18, August 2005, Bennington VT, BAC not reported.
12. Lance Strickland, 18, September 2, 2005, Oregon State University, Corvallis, BAC 0.43
13. Phanta "Jack" Phoummarath, 18, December 10, 2005, University of Texas, BAC 0.5
14. David Beningo, 17, December 17, 2005, no college affiliation, BAC  not reported

My sincere condolences to each person's friends and family.  I am sure that there are children who have died whose deaths were not reported.  My condolences to their families and friends also.  The sad thing is, I know that there will be more.

Deaths on Campus or Those Under Age Where Alcohol Was  A Contributing Factor:
[decedent's name with link], [age], [DoD], [university] [BAC]

1. William Charles Clark, 15, Iowa, BAC unknown
 
2. Colin James Boyarski, 19, Kenyon College (April 9, 2005: Mr. Boyarski's cause of death is still under investigation, but the police have determined that alcohol was a factor.)
3. Terrence McCann, 20,  High Point, NC, BAC 0.2
4. John Smythe,16 ,June 7, 2005 ,Philadelphia  ,BAC not reported
   

Alcohol Overdoses/Poisonings on  Campus or Those Under Age Where Death Was Averted:

1. Rice University: Lacrosse Teams
2. Tara Johnson : Chico State
3. Veronica Campbell : Chico State:
4. Richard Amador : Chico State:

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.  (1)  to educate the public about alcohol poisoning; (2) to identify steps parents and students can take to
prevent such tragedies;  (3) eradicate fraternity hazing in any form.

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.

=============
Are these deaths actually a change, or a problem coming to light? In 1994, a Federal law was passed requiring colleges to publish all student deaths.    Prior to that time, deaths due to alcohol poisoning were often hidden.  College campuses, where a great many of the deaths occurred, sought to avoid adverse publicity. Death certificates said “cardiac arrest” or “asphyxiation.” Medical examiners sometimes chose to tell a grieving family, “It was a freak accident,” rather than “Your son/daughter drank him/herself to death.”   Families who knew the truth hid the fact that their child had drunk him or herself to death.

"There's no place  that's actually keeping data on alcohol deaths"--Thomas Kunstman MD, Lead Physician at Colorado University's Wardenburg Health center.

You can reach Dr. Kunstman at:

1801 Wardenburg Drive
Campus Box 119
Boulder, CO
303-492-5101  fax: 303-492-6861  Thomas.Kunstman@COLORADO.EDU

Comments

[kelley]

i am so sorry to here about all of this i was a friend of one of these people and my deepest sympothy to the familys!!!

[Shelley Williams]

I was Brandon Williams mother. It's been very hard what we have been through since Brandon passed away. I have also started a memorial foundation in his name. I work with MADD, and speak out against alcohol poisoning. I let teens know how quick it can happen. Brandon's bac was .56. We find it hard to believe this could have been this high. There were know signs that Brandon had been drinking. He was with family 99% percent of the time. The night he died he was with people he didn't know. Except one person he had met two weeks prior to his death.

[cathy clark]

Yesterday my beautiful, gifted high school freshman went over to a friends house. At 4:07 we gota call that the Chicago Fire department had transported him to Cook County hospital in chicago far away from home (30 miles). He was found on the CTA and someone called 911. he had an empty thermos which had been filled with rum and other liqour.
He was lucky this time. With the paramedics, the ER and people who took quick action he survived alcohol poisoning.
What do I do now? I can't force him to a building to get counseling. I think it all relates back to his dad dying and the belief among teenagers, "It can't happen to me".

[Dr. Willis H. Moore]

May we add some of your postings to our website on the Alcohol issues page?

[Dr. Willis H. Moore]

May we add some of your postings to our website on the Alcohol issues page?