Show De Deadly Consumption n The Human Side SideBy By Diane Cashel 1 t Drug Alcohol Education y f This fall we have heard about more alcohol poisoning on college campuses than ever before with two high profile deaths of students who overdosed on alcohol The message is that too much alcohol consumed in a relatively short time can kill Just last weekend another student died in an alcohol related fall from his dorm room and another student who was seriously impaired from alcohol was critically injured after falling faIling in a trash shoot High profile tragedies have a way of prioritizing point in people to examine an issue There are common sense things about alcohol poisoning that we all need to know and understand It is not easy to spot alcohol poisoning and some subjective judgement is usually needed Knowing what and how they dr drank is a good indicator When you have a friend who has hasI I reached a high level of intoxication it is important hat you do not leave this person alone somewhere to sleep it off You need to stay with your friend to make sure that she he will not progress toward medical distress There are a few things that are likely indicators of alcohol poisoning poisoning poisoning poi poi- poi poi- and we should all be aware of these for those times when we are the caring friend The first symptom is that the person person person per per- son is unconscious and cannot be awakened Second is that the person has cold clammy pale or bluish skin That usually signifies a lack of oxygen Third the person is breathing breathing breathing breath breath- ing unusually slow A fourth symptom symptom symptom tom would be a person vomiting while sleeping or passed out and not waking up while doing it If this is happening they are likely likely likely like like- ly to be suffering from alcohol poisoning poisoning poisoning poi poi- and should be taken immedi immedi- for medical help Again do donot donot donot not leave the person alone Turn the person on their side to prevent choking choking choking chok chok- ing in case of vomiting While this sounds basic the truth is that many friends are petrified of seeking help Too often we assume the person will just sleep it off Too often we worry whether we are making making making mak mak- ing the right choice to seek help Potential cost to the intoxicated friend should not be a factor nor worries about someone getting cited for underage just drinking-just act Nothing is more important than the thc health and safety of someone who has been careless enough to drink themselves into a medical emer emer- gency Act now to save their life The loss of these students is too great Too great for college students with so much ahead of them and too great for family and friends and communities affected by these tragedies For more information on alcohol poisoning call the Drug Alcohol Education office at |