Throwing back: The truth about alcohol consumption
Amanda Seef
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: News
The long-standing effects of alcohol on important, life-or-death decisions are playing tough with college students across the nation. At least three local colleges, Brockport included, recently felt the traumatic blow of alcohol to their student body, seriously injuring, paralyzing or killing the future of the nation.
Alcohol Toxicity
A recent report shows 31 young people died of alcohol toxicity in 2007 alone, a 63 percent increase from 2004, the two most recent years with complete data available. At least five deaths were reported in 2008.
Alcohol toxicity occurs when the individual has been poisoned by the amount of alcohol in his or her blood, yielding a BAC at or above .3. The BAC is measured by the weight of the alcohol in the volume of blood.
The recent death of SUNY Geneseo student Arman Partamian showed a BAC of .55, tested from the fluid of his eye. Partamian was drinking an assortment of beer, champagne, gin and vodka during the pledging process at an off-campus fraternity. The high BAC has been cited as one of the highest most New York State Police officers on the case have seen.
In March 2008, a student died on his 21st birthday at a Wisconsin college. He had allegedly participated in the "21 for 21" ritual for his birthday. Jesse Drew's BAC was .38 at the time of death, as he was found unresponsive on a couch in his home, drinking 21 beverages within hours of the start of his birthday.
The "21 for 21" ritual, or often "power hour" for non-celebrations, has become increasingly popular among college students, a third of women who drank on their 21st birthdays experienced a BAC of .26 or higher, a close line to where death becomes more imminent.
Over-consumption of alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions, such as breathing and the gag reflex (that prevents choking.) An increasing amount of alcohol can, and will, stop these functions. Without gag reflexes, unconscious individuals could face death by asphyxiation, as they choke on their own vomit.
Alcohol Toxicity
A recent report shows 31 young people died of alcohol toxicity in 2007 alone, a 63 percent increase from 2004, the two most recent years with complete data available. At least five deaths were reported in 2008.
Alcohol toxicity occurs when the individual has been poisoned by the amount of alcohol in his or her blood, yielding a BAC at or above .3. The BAC is measured by the weight of the alcohol in the volume of blood.
The recent death of SUNY Geneseo student Arman Partamian showed a BAC of .55, tested from the fluid of his eye. Partamian was drinking an assortment of beer, champagne, gin and vodka during the pledging process at an off-campus fraternity. The high BAC has been cited as one of the highest most New York State Police officers on the case have seen.
In March 2008, a student died on his 21st birthday at a Wisconsin college. He had allegedly participated in the "21 for 21" ritual for his birthday. Jesse Drew's BAC was .38 at the time of death, as he was found unresponsive on a couch in his home, drinking 21 beverages within hours of the start of his birthday.
The "21 for 21" ritual, or often "power hour" for non-celebrations, has become increasingly popular among college students, a third of women who drank on their 21st birthdays experienced a BAC of .26 or higher, a close line to where death becomes more imminent.
Over-consumption of alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions, such as breathing and the gag reflex (that prevents choking.) An increasing amount of alcohol can, and will, stop these functions. Without gag reflexes, unconscious individuals could face death by asphyxiation, as they choke on their own vomit.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sheila Joyce Gibbs
posted 4/07/09 @ 12:43 AM EST
Excellent column you've written ! You've obviously done some research. Wish everyone was of the same mind as yourself !
At this time, here in Canada, our Medical Stat's released information on what they now feel, needs to be considered as 'moderate' alcohol consumption. (Continued…)
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