Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, July 05, 2004
Our view: The real problem is extreme intoxication
Two things stood out in Tribune reporter Terry Rindfleisch's story Sunday about binge drinking.
First were the anecdotes from very drunk students trying to get home but going in wrong directions.
One 22-year-old man was staggering north on Copeland Avenue, looking for his University of Wisconsin-La Crosse dormitory. Another 22-year-old man was so drunk that he literally could not stand up. He couldn't remember his address and actually thought he was still in St. Cloud, Minn.
If you talk to police officers, medical professionals and college officials, you will find out that those stories are all too typical.
That's what happens to people who drink too much — often above 0.20 (0.08 is the legal limit for driving).
What is striking about all these stories is that they answer the question that many people ask about college-age drowning victims in La Crosse. The question is usually put something like this: Why does the media keep saying that alcohol is to blame for the drownings, rather than foul play, when no one would want to go to the river after a night of drinking?
The people asking that question are right about one thing: Drowning victims don't want to go to the river; they end up there because of their severe disorientation — caused by excessive drinking.
The second point about Rindflesch's story that was most striking was the description of the effect of various levels of blood alcohol.
At 0.08 to 0.09, people thinking they are functioning better than they are. However, their sense of balance might be off and their motor skills are starting to become impaired.
At 0.10 to 0.12, they lack coordination and balance, and motor skills are markedly diminished. Some might become loud or aggressive.
Let's fast-forward to 0.20. At this level of intoxication, people are likely to be confused or disoriented.
Blackouts are common, and people might not be aware of injuries.
It only gets worse after that. The level of 0.35 is the same as surgical anesthesia. It's possible to stop breathing at this point. All along the way, vomiting is possible. Because the alcohol depresses the gag reflex, it is more likely that someone could choke on their own vomit.
It's not a pretty picture. Yet, blood alcohol levels of 0.20 or higher are not unusual among college-age drinkers. Younger people have not yet learned the ill effects of alcohol at those high levels.
The bottom line is that people who drink to that extent are more likely to be hurt or killed in accidents. They are less safe — downtown or anywhere else — because of the level of impairment.
That's the real issue behind the spate of river deaths.
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