<p>My son called this weekend and was very upset, he told us that a student at High Point University passed away this weekend in a tragic accident from an apparent prescription drug and alcohol overdose. I can only imagine the pain and sorrow that the poor family is experiencing. Our prayers go out to the family. The school sent out a brief general notification confirming the tragedy and the school had a campus vigil earlier this week. As a parent I am amazed that little else has been reported on the incident either by the school or the local High Point news or papers ?? It scares the heck out of my wife and I that these substances are abundently available on every college campus and that our young adults do not understand that abusing, overindulging, or mixing these substances can result in dire consequences. Please talk to your college students, it seems that these types of sensless tragic events are happening on a regular basis on college campuses all around the country.</p>
<p>Binge drinking is a huge problem among college students. Overdoses on alcohol and drugs happen all to often on college campuses. You would be shocked to know how many end up in the hospital or dead from bad decisions. Kids these days are drinking against each other - playing games, having races, etc. It is truly dangerous. They now drink before attending parties or “pre-game”. In other words they drink before they go drink more. </p>
<p>The amount of college students that binge drink regularly would shock you. It is scary that these substances are so readily available but, you have to instill good decision making skills in your kids at a young age and leave the decision making up to them.</p>
<p>I am so sorry for the family of this student. This is a tragic story that unfortunately happens too frequently. </p>
<p>“As a parent I am amazed that little else has been reported on the incident either by the school or the local High Point news or papers”</p>
<p>I don’t know what any paper could report other than this student has passed away. It is no ones business to get the details of how, what, where, when or whatever. Prescription drug overdozes can result in death just as non prescription drug overdozes can result in death. The university or press owes no other people other than the students family information regarding details.</p>
<p>My sister was there this weekend for the new student orientation. She didn’t hear anything about it. I imagine they had to keep it hush hush in front of these new families!</p>
<p>
Oh, I think they understand it (when sober). I think you’d be hard pressed to find a college student who wouldn’t say they understand this. Many colleges even require they take a compulsory awareness course in this area before arriving on campus.</p>
<p>What I think they would tend to say is that they ‘aren’t’ abusing, over-indulging, mixing when they shouldn’t - that ‘they’ can handle it, that ‘they’ can tell when to stop before getting to that point, that ‘they’ have good judgment in this area (as opposed to some of those ‘other’ students). Mix opportunity, peer pressure, poor judgment, bad choices, a sense of youthful invincibility, and the fact that once they start with the first drink or drug of the day their judgment has become impaired and gets diminished further with every additional drink/drug they take that day, and that’s the recipe for bad consequences.</p>
<p>
I think with today’s other forms of media (facebook, twitter, etc.) that news often gets out in other ways and can spread to the major media if there is a lot of interest for some reason.</p>
<p>My son and niece attend HPU. We received an email from the university that was heartfelt and appropriate, with this info:
A student died at an off campus location
The school has offered to help family and current students in the grieving process
They were holding a service for the student…my son said the chapel was packed and students talked for an hour. I understand they don’t know cause of death and because there is no threat to students and campus, it was handled properly. As far as Open house weekend, I think this happened Monday so no cover up going on. HPU isn’t perfect, but I think they have always shown a commitment to all the kids and families.</p>
<p>We went to the funeral Saturday, beyond sad. I can’t say “not a threat to campus or students”. Something is terribly wrong when a healthy beautiful child dies after hell week and fraternity pledging . This is not natural. This can be any of our children and soon another will succumb to a needless death due to ignorance and chance. It is everyone’s loss and in this case a truly wonderful giving interesting man is no longer with us.</p>