Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • June 16, 2010 �������������������������� by John Koster Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox has reported that an underage drinking party at a township home last month led to an instance of alcohol poisoning. “The Wyckoff Police Department was called to a township home where an underage drinking party was taking place,” Chief Fox said last week. “A local teen was transported to the hospital with alcohol poisoning for medical attention – and it’s not even summer yet.” Chief Fox said that drinking at private homes by underage high school or college students and the celebrations, challenges, and hazing that sometimes happens at these parties is illegal and cannot be condoned even if the parents have no objections. “The result of consuming 21 shots in an hour to celebrating turning 21, or consuming a full bottle of alcohol on a dare are typical scenarios for alcohol poisoning,” Chief Fox said. Information from Remove Intoxicated Drivers indicates that as many as 4,000 deaths each year occur due to the simple overdosing with alcohol, most by teenagers or those in their early 20s, without even counting fatal vehicular collisions or pedestrian hits that result from drunk driving. Many of these deaths, Chief Fox said, are those of first-time drinkers who have no experience with alcohol. “In the past, death certificates listed cardiac arrest or asphyxiation as the cause of death,” Chief Fox said. “Medical examiners were hesitant to tell grieving families that the cause of death was too much alcohol. This is changing as organizations are trying to provide information about the dangers of drinking alcohol.” The chief said that when drinkers pass out and cannot be revived they may die from alcohol poisoning within a few hours if they do not receive immediate attention, and that friends should not treat blackouts after drinking as a joke or assume the person will “sleep it off.” “Call 9-1-1 immediately,” Chief Fox urged. “Time is critical and a quick response may save a life. Do not leave the person alone.” He said those who are with someone who has passed out should continue to try to revive that person, and turn the individual on his or her side to keep the person from choking if he or she vomits. The individual’s breathing should be closely monitored. If the person stops breathing, have someone begin CPR. Tell the Emergency Service Technicians the symptoms and the amount of alcohol the person has consumed, Chief Fox added. He also cautioned that drinking by youngsters other than family under the age of 21 at house parties will not be tolerated even if the adults are at home and attempt to limit the intake of liquor or prevent the youngsters from driving until they sober up. Service of alcohol by adults includ- Wyckoff Sale Days June 17-18-19 Police chief cautions against underage drinking ing the parents of friends, to other than members of their own immediate family, is illegal. Chief Fox said the law will be enforced. Running to support ECCR A group of 12 friends recently got together to raise money for the Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat (ECCR) in Wyckoff. Team ECCR participated in the Ragnar Relay. This event is a 184.8 mile relay from Woodstock, NY to New York City. Their training and fundraising paid off. The team time was 25:47:16 and they finished 32nd overall out of 199 teams. The funds they raised are being put towards the renovations of the Hilltop Group Home in North Haledon. Standing: Thomas Sheehan; Hector Matos, Jr.; Allende Matos; John Veltri; Matt Keating; Scott Press (Team Captain), Waldwick; and Adam Gross. Kneeling: Ryan Camlin, Waldwick; Joshua Gordon; Mark Selby; Matt Valenti; and Ryan Mulholland. Family Owned & Operated since 1888 • Hrs. Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Boulder Run Center • Wyckoff, NJ • 201-891-8580 Slobodien Stride Rite (across from Stop & Shop) – FREQUENT BUYERS PROGRAM – After the 10th pair - the 11th pair is ½ OFF Speci Buy 3 pair socks/tights and the 4th is FREE. Gigantic Sidewalk Sale June 17 • 18 • 19 selected items 630 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-8889 CLEARANCE SALE Bring in this ad and receive $5 OFF your total purchase of footwear. Offer can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 7-31-10 alizing in Wide Widths Offer can not be combined with any other offer. 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