Underage Alcohol Deaths, 2007

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.

In an article called Magnitude of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18–24: changes from 1998 to 2001, by Hingson R, Heeren T, Winter M, Wechsler H. in Annual Review of Public Health. 2005, 26:259-279, the authors used statistical methods:

Estimated number of nontraffic injury deaths of all youth that are alcohol related:
1998         2001 
  991         1151

Estimated number of nontraffic injury deaths of college students that are alcohol related:
1998         2001 
  327           368

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

The following list is generated by news reports listing cause of death as alcohol related.  I am sure there are more.

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

1. Daniel Gjertson, 21, January 1 2007, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, BAC 0.44
2. Samantha Lynn Scheuring ,16, January 16, 2007, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, BAC 0.44
3. Alexis E. Garcia, 15, February 2, 2007, Easthampton High School, Massachusetts, BAC 0.31
4. Allen Dale "Boo" Bratton,  12, February 16,  2007,  Mishawaka, Indiana, BAC 0.20
5. Karl Fazil, 21, February 13, 2007, Wittenberg University, BAC unknown
6. Robert Patton, 14, February 17 2007, Terre Haute, Indiana, BAC unknown
7. Sid Skibinski-Gonzales, 19, March 3, 2007, Modesto, CA, BAC unknown
8. Jessica Murphy, 18, March 4, 2007, Monett, MO, BAC 4.06
9. Joe Hunter, 17, March 2007, Coalville, Utah, BAC unknown
10. Gary Devercelly, 18, March 29, 2007, Rider University, BAC 0.426
11. Kayla Davis, 17 , April 13, 2007, Delaware County, OK, BAC unknown
12. Stephanie Huffer Kay, 21, April 14 , 2007, North Carolina State University, BAC unknown.
13. Galen Harig-Blaine, 18, April 22, 2007, Broadneck High School, Annapolis MD,  BAC 0.30
14. Clayton Wayne Lawson, 16, April 27, 2007, BAC unknown
15. Leland Martin, 18, April 29, 2007, Winder-Barrow High School, Winder, GA, BAC unknown
16. Jordan Crist, 19, May 2, 2007, Southern Methodist University, BAC 0.40
17. Joshua Harrington, 20, May 4, 2007, Wausau, WI, BAC 0.54
18. Julian Cecil Ortiz, 19, June 7, 2007, McMinneville, OR, BAC 0.43
19. Brandon Booker, 17, June 24, 2007, LaSalle, IL, BAC 0.22
20. Monica Gastelum, 17, June 27 2005, AR, BAC 0.455
21. Jordan Shirey, 21, September 13, Bowling Green State University,  BAC unknown
22. Cory Dewayne Tucker, 16, September 23, 2007, Ringgold, GA, BAC unknown
23. Nik Gallegos, 18, October 6 2007, Stephen F. Austin University, Nagadoches, TX, BAC unknown
    
24. Dakota Johnson, 16, October 7 2007 , Elgin High School, Elgin OK BAC unknown
25. Amanda Jax, 21, October 29 2007, Minnesota State University Mankato, MN, BAC 0.46
26. Hershell Edward Privett, jr, 18, November 9 2007, Chattanooga, TN, BAC unknown.
27. Adam Beggs, November 17 2007, Auburn,  ME  BAC Unknown
28. Adam Baxter, 18, November 23 2007, Augusta ME, BAC unknown.
29. Pat Mason, 21, November 30 2007, Santa Cruz, CA, BAC unknown
30. Benjamin Garrison Sprague, 18, December 9, 2007, Clemson University, BAC 0.379
31. Jenna Foellmi, 20, Winona State University, December 13, 2007, MN, BAC "incompatible with life".
32. Julia Gonzalez, 16, Turlock, CA, December 28, 20007, BAC 0.52

A young man in Minnesota:

After he watched an ambulance crew carry away a girl he knew earlier this year, he said, he wished he'd had another message dunned into him. If someone you know is breathing irregularly or passes out -- whether the reason appears to be too much drinking, or anything else -- call 911. Don't delay. Don't worry about getting him or her -- or yourself -- into trouble. Don't assume that "sleeping it off" is all that the situation requires.

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

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.

            

Comments

[Gary & Peggy Neese]

It is so sad to see any loss from drugs or alcohol. Life is so short and so precious. Visit us at www.buzznot.com and see the memorials from such. If you know of anyone who lost a friend or loved one from drugs or alcohol add to our memorials lets put a face with these victims and show what a large problem this is. We also have a community section for anyone wanting to help us share in the problems with either drugs or alcohol so if you are a user former user or know of someone who has a problem using join us in our effort. This is a free site for anyone wanting to help us show the problems. God Bless!