He’s a great kid. He plays sports, is an A-B student and has been voted class favorite for three years in a row. Teachers have always commented on what a fine young man he is.
At his age peer pressure can be tough, but he’s always seemed to stay level headed—until last Tuesday in Panama City Beach during his and Auburn’s spring break.
He and his friends went to the Spinnaker. He told me he was going somewhere else because he knows that is off limits during college spring break. He apparently decided to drink.
He had an Auburn backpack on and received drinks from Auburn students. It was his choice.
In just three hours he collapsed with alcohol poisoning. An ambulance was called and another group of Auburn students stayed by his side until the ambulance arrived.
Hearing over the phone that he was being rushed to the hospital was a harsh reality not knowing if he was going to be OK.
It’s news a parent never wants to hear.
When they got him stable they tested his blood alcohol level. A .25, three times over the legal limit. They also told me he had started to asperate before the paramedics got to him.
I am grateful he survived this awful mess and wanted to share this to thank the students that helped him. I have no way of knowing who they are, but appreciate their strength and courage to help my son. He made a really bad decision that could have devestated a mom, dad, grandparents, friends and and the entire beach community.
The ER was full of young college students in the same shape my son was literally lining the hallways. I felt overwhelmed for their families. A young man had overdosed just a few weeks before.
We all have choices that we can make. We are all human and in our lives will make both good and not-so-good choices. There are consequences to all our actions both good and bad.
My son now has to walk through the consequences of his own actions. Hopefully it will build his character. It is ultimately his choice.
Because he is minor, I choose not to share his name. Keep coming to the beach and have a great time, but please remember to be safe and responsible.
Beth Casey
Auburn alumna, 1986
There is a problem that you are taking great pains to avoid. It is not Panama City. Or spring break. Or peer pressure. Or any student who may have bought your son drinks. For that matter, the problem is not you, either, at least not the immediate problem.
The problem is your son or, more specifically, his drinking. Anyone who blows a .25 in just a few hours is not losing his alcohol virginity. He has done it before and will do it again. All good kids break the occasional window, but they do not ransack the entire house.
A teenager lying about an evening's whereabouts is not a novel concept. Neither is a teen who drinks too much. Been there, done both. However, a teenager imbibing to an Olympian level of excess is a quantum leap removed from "he apparently decided to drink". No, that decision had been made long before he left your home; the only variable was execution of the plan.
Tough times do not build character, they reveal it and the next several months will test your son's mettle as well as yours. This boy has a problem and its name is alcohol. Making good grades, playing ball, and being popular do not negate this.
Spring break is not a novel concept, certainly not to anyone who lives on the Gulf. Local teens know college kids come down to cut loose and they also know that scoring booze is not particularly challenging.
The next steps are up to you, but the first has to be acknowledging that the problem lies with your son. I have seen this animal up close; sometimes, it ends well and other times, not so much. You cannot solve this alone. Do not attempt to and do not beat yourself up. Find this boy some help because something is troubling him. I wish you success so that you can come back a decade or two from now and tell us how your boy has grown into a wonderful young man. Good luck.
Alex
Class of '82
My words cannot express how far off base your comments have landed. I know this young man, I know this family, and I have a hard time imagining how difficult this situation has been for all of them. Your ability to take the facts presented and reach your conclusions is at best insensitive but probably more along the lines of ridiculous.
I have an incredible respect for Mrs. Casey's resolve in sharing this story in hopes that it makes a difference in someone else's life. I know that this event, while horrific, will not impede this boy's ability to continue to grow into a wonderful young man.
Joe Rudolph, Auburn Alumna 1988
I find it interesting that you felt the need to school me on what you feel are the dangers of excessive drinking and how you think it pertains to my child. Here's what I know.
If I allow my ego to get too involved and try to become Dear Abby then I am probably taking on someone else's inventory. If I am doing that then I am not focusing on myself...which is where I need to be focusing.
My intent was to thank the students that helped my son and carry a message to anyone else that could benefit from my story. I do not give advice, I only share about my personal experience.
My son lost his grandfather and his funeral was the sunday prior to his binge and conrary to what you gathered from my personal story, yes that was his first time. And it's pretty much a given that he made the decision prior to being on the beach...just didn't feel like I needed to explain that.
I understand the concept of being defensless against the first drink. I know what a character defect is and as I mentioned when I am focusing on others, I need to be looking in the mirror.
I have an abundance of resources not only for myself but for my other family members too and we are not afraid to use them. We also have wonderful friends who love us for who we truly are.
And for me it's not about luck but having a spiritual connection with God.
Beth Casey