Galen Harig-Blaine, 18, Alcohol Overdose

As always, my deepest condolences to family and friends.

Mr. Harig-Blaine was a  senior at Broadneck High School in Annapolis, Maryland.  An accomplished volinist, he was due to graduate in a few weeks.

Evidently, on April 22, 2007, Mr. Harig-Blaine was drinking with friends, and lost consciousness in a parked vehicle.  His blood alcohol was later found to be 0.30.

His family hopes his death will serve as a warning to teenagers and parents alike: Too much alcohol can kill you, whether you get behind the wheel or not.

"They have to know they can't do this," Ms. Harig-Blaine said.

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

"We know kids will swear off drinking after something like this happens," his mother said. "Then, you know, a week later they will do it again."

His father, Stephen Blaine, said this tragedy was not an act of a teen who was feeling rotten, driven to drink or risky behavior by teen angst or some other negative impulse.

"He had a great day." Mr. Blaine said. "He got up and cut the grass, got a new pair of red sneakers and practiced with the Peabody Preparatory Young Artists Orchestra. He was happy.

"By all accounts he had not done anything like this before. Obviously he drank before ... but not like this. It only takes one time."

Both parents urged teens and others to take greater care of each other.

"They have to realize, if possible, they have to look out for one another," Mrs. Harig-Blaine said. "Adolescents don't think they need help. They don't trust adults, or teachers, or people that have authority. All they have is their shared experience with one another."

If someone is passing out or falling asleep after heavy drinking, they have to get help.

"They can't let someone fall asleep in the corner," Mrs. Harig-Blain said. "They have to call to ask someone to intervene. This is a life. It is more valuable than the consequence of getting your parents mad at you, or getting in a situation with law enforcement. It is a life."

Alcohol is "still the most common illegally used substance that juveniles use," said Dr. Neil Capretto.

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.   The mission of the Gordie Foundation is 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.