Another College Student Dies

This time, it was not alleged to be an alcohol poisoning, but some sort of hallucinogen + something else.

On October 12 2003, Gloria Discerni of Cottage Grove, Oregon, attended a party in her dorm at Northern Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  Cameron Jester, a fellow student from Bonners Ferry,

Idaho, offered her some LSD, which she accepted.  Jester and Discerni took the drug, but Discerni began vomiting and then became unconscious.  Other students took her to the medical center.  She never regained consciousness, and her parents decided to remove her from life support on Friday, October 15, 2004.

Jester told the police that he purchased the LSD in Spokane for $200. Jester was arrested as he waited to see Discerni in the hospital on Oct. 12 and was charged on felony counts of possession and delivery of a controlled substance. After her death, Jester was additionally charged with manslaughter.  Jester is being held at the Kootenai County correctional facility and is under suicide watch after having expressed remorse for his actions.

speculation about the drug causing the death is ongoing.

Deaths due to the primary effects of LSD have not been well documented.

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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

[Azygos]

Liz,

[Azygos]

Second try. I really did write a comment.

Liz,

Did you read the comments following the article you linked? Wow, the depth of stupidity is astounding.