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New Year’s Day is Most Dangerous for Young Adults

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The Pennsylvania Medical Society says New Year’s Day is the most dangerous holiday for young adults, and drinking is part of the problem.   Government statistics show emergency room visits for underage drinking on New Year’s have surpassed other national holidays. 

Dr. Henry Unger, president of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, says there are alcohol poisoning, car crashes, fights, and injuries from falls.  He says there are 250% more injuries coming to the emergency room from alcohol-related problems on New Year’s compared to any other holiday.

Dr. Unger says when we drink, our coordination is impaired and our thought process is impaired.  He says college students are especially at risk for assaults committed by someone who has been drinking.

Dr. Unger says adults should drink in a sound way and people who are underage should not drink at all.  He says parents and other adults who have contact with teens should educate them about the risks.

Dr. Unger says injuries range from severe head trauma to broken bones and stitches.  He says they see alcohol poisoning cases so severe that patients are not breathing. They’ve also seen abuse of alcohol cause bleeding ulcers in young adults.

Police on the Look Out for Drunk Drivers as Halloween Approaches

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Halloween has become a big party weekend not just for little kids, but also for teens and adults.  State and local police have increased patrols looking for impaired drivers through November 1st.  They’re especially watching for underage drinkers who get behind the wheel.

PennDOT spokeswoman Erin Waters says there were more than 12 hundred crashes last year statewide involving at least one underage drinker.  She says people under 21 do not need to have a blood alcohol level of .08 to be arrested.  If they have a level of .02, because it’s illegal for them to be drinking in the first place, they could face jail time and have their license suspended.

For adults who furnish alcohol to minors, Waters says there are fines of at least $1,000.00 for the first child and $2500.00 for each additional minor.

Last Halloween, Waters says there were more 300 accidents, involving 9 fatalities. Six of those deaths occurred in alcohol-related crashes. Halloween fell on a Sunday last year.

Holidays can be a deadly time on the roads. Waters says Halloween usually falls about in the middle, since it’s not a travel holiday such as Thanksgiving and the Christmas and New Year period.

Good Samaritan Bill Among New Laws Signed by Governor Corbett

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Governor Corbett’s pen was busy this week as he inked nearly four dozen bills in one day. One of those measures is Senate Bill 448, the so-called Good Samaritan law. It would protect people under 21 from underage drinking prosecution if they call 911 to help a friend.

The new law, when it takes effect 60 days after signing, will give some legal immunity to a person who is underage and calls 911 to help a drunk friend facing an emergency.  The caller will have to give their name and stay with the friend until help arrives.

Deb Beck of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of PA says it’s a very wise law.  She says people engage in drinking alcohol, particularly  on our college campuses, and others around them know they’re in trouble, but they’re afraid to do anything. Beck  believes the new law will save lives.   

Beck says there have been stories over the years of  young people out cold on a campus somewhere and no one knows quite what to do.  She believes young people want to do the right thing, but she believes we need to do things that will make them immune from prosecution when they do that.  Beck says that’s what the new law will do.

Beck hopes the law will get sent out to all of the college campuses in Pennsylvania, and there will be an education campaign.

The bill was sponsored by Senator John Rafferty (R-Berks). It had bipartisan support, passing unanimously in the house and senate.

 

Sate Capitol View from Commonwealth Ave.

Supporters Say Good Samaritan Bill Would Save Lives

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Anyone under 21, who calls 911 to help a drunk friend, would have legal immunity from underage drinking charges under SB 448.  Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) is the prime sponsor, and he thanked his colleagues on the Senate floor, following this week’s unanimous vote.  “This is a bill designed for good Samaritans to save lives, in a much-needed cause.” 

It has the support of organizations like the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and Students Against Destructive Decisions.  “It’s better for them to have the opportunity to get the help for their peers, and to have a way to resolve it amongst themselves, that they’re not going to be liable for this,” says state coordinator for SADD Felicity Debacco-Erni.  She says underage drinking is a serious charge, and this bill addresses a serious issue.  “It’s a decision that unfortunately a lot of students are making not to get the help, because they’re fearful of their own legal issues that will come into play.” 

In a statement, Senator Rafferty said he doesn’t want to give minors a free pass, but neither does he want to discourage those who can help from seeking assistance.  The 911 caller must provide their name, and must remain on scene until emergency assistance arrives.  Before it gets to the governor’s desk, SB 448 must next pass the State House.  It’s now awaiting action in the House Judiciary Committee.