Corey Mattison, 18, Alcohol Overdose

Corey Mattison was a freshman at Binghampton University; he planned to transfer to Cornell University in the fall.  Corey was a talented musician, and had big plans for his future.  He died March 14, 2006, of a reported alcohol overdose.

  Pipe Dream on the Web - Campus mourns student’s death - By Max Lakin.

Binghamton University freshman and College-in-the-Woods Cayuga Hall resident Corey Mattison died in Utica last week over spring break. Mattison, 18, was found dead at his home last Tuesday following what was reportedly a night of heavy drinking.

My deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Mattison had just learned he had been accepted into Cornell University and wanted to enter the university's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, said Brad Hart, a junior at BU and a friend of Mattison's.

"He was a good kid," Hart said. "It's been really hard for everybody to have to deal with."

Hart, a transfer student, said he met Mattison during the first day of classes during the fall 2005 semester. The two lived in the same on-campus residence hall.

"He would always spend every moment of the day doing something productive," Hart said. "That's the biggest lesson I could ever learn from him."

In June, 2006, the Mohawk Valley Blues Society bands and musicians gave  a 6-hour memorial concert with songs from the new CD. 50% of the proceeds from the concert and CD sales will go to the Corey Mattison Memorial Scholarship Fund at the New Hartford High School. Corey, 18, was the youngest member of the blues society.

Sources:
Utica Observer Dispatch Online
Press and Sun-Bulletin Online

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.  (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.

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

[Anon]

my sister was very close with corey. R.I.P.