poison control guidance questioned in usu hazing death at σν

We have followed for some time the fallout at Utah State University after the death of a freshman at the Sigma Nu house, even as columnist Brian Maffly of the Salt Lake Tribune has churned out a stupefying number of stories. Most of them are cumulative and repetitious, but occasionally he manages to cobble together something novel, as he did Thursday with a story examining the role of the fateful call to Poison Control by the Sigma Nu brothers on finding their pledge grossly intoxicated. The question still unanswered is why the opportunity for medical intercession by professionals did not save Michael Starks's life.

Transcripts of the call are revealing. Sigma Nu member Colton Starks misreported the amount of alcohol consumed by Mr Starks as "half a bottle" rather than the three-quarters actually ingested, and gave Mr Starks's age as twenty-one instead of eighteen. The fib about age was fairly obviously due to concern about admitting underage drinking, while the exact amount Mr Starks consumed was likely unclear to a brother completely unconnected to Mr Starks's earlier hazing by sorority girls.

More troubling are the failures of the Poison Control responder. While age is a factor in determining the effect of alcohol, its gravamen is dwarfed by that of body size, a critical datum that the the responder did not seek. Nor did she query the time period over which Mr Starks consumed the alcohol, the most important figure in determining potential toxicity. Without this essential information, it would be impossible to make an even remotely accurate assessment.

Thus ill-informed, she advised that "if at any time he's not arousable or if he aspirates this into his lungs then you want to make sure you get him into the hospital," advice evidently followed assiduously. But had she merely sought the most basic information, she could have immediately ordered that Mr Starks be given emergency medical care, perhaps saving his life. Instead, falsely reassured by Poison Control, the Sigma Nu brothers could only call 911 later, too late.

None of this is to excuse the culpability of those who abetted the intoxication or the practice of hazing, and some face criminal charges. But unlike in many hazing tragedies where death results from neglect or obfuscation, here medical personnel had an opportunity to intercede, thanks to the providence of more responsible fraternity men. That chance was squandered by Poison Control, and a young man's life was lost. The Tribune reports that "Center officials say they stand by the way the Starks call was handled." Unbelievable.

Salt Lake Tribune