Press Release

Underage Drinking: Cause for Concern

By Rich Elliott

Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue is the primary emergency medical service provider for the Kittitas Valley. Of the more than 3,000 requests for emergency services received each year, a large number of these involve the use and/or misuse of alcohol. A large percentage of motor vehicle collisions, assaults, and alcohol overdoses occur each year.

Alcohol is a depressant which slows reflexes and impairs decision making. Alcohol intoxication increases the likelihood that someone will be involved in a motor vehicle crash or an assault either as the cause, victim, or both. Consumed in excess, alcohol can cause respiratory depression, aspiration, and even death. Death usually is the result of stomach contents blocking the airway or entering the lungs.

The typical response to a possible alcohol overdose by emergency medical services involves an initial patient assessment. We first check for basic life functions. If a patient is in immediate danger, rapid intervention and transport occurs. If the condition allows for additional time, we perform diagnostic tests and allow the patient to make decisions as to what type of care they receive and if they wish to be transported to the hospital. This assumes the patient is 18 or older and is able to make the decision for themselves.

A patient that is intoxicated may be determined to be unable to make decisions for him or herself. If that is the case, treatment and/or transport decisions are made by family, EMS, or law enforcement personnel. Treatment for serious alcohol overdoses includes intubation (sticking a tube into the lungs after temporarily paralyzing the patient), transport to the hospital, and possibly pumping the stomach. Pumping the stomach involves inserting another tube into the stomach, flushing the contents of the stomach with warm saline, and then suctioning out the fluid. None of this is pleasant nor is it cheap. The ambulance ride alone may approach $1,000, with additional costs for the emergency room, physician fees, and supplies.

Less serious alcohol responses may not involve an ambulance transport. Law enforcement is notified if the incident scene is determined to not be secure or if the patient is under the age of 21. Regardless of whether or not we transport, EMS providers are mandated to leave the patient in the care of a responsible person. A buddy who is underage and has also been drinking is not an acceptable alternative.

The bottom line is that underage drinking has a number of risks and costs. Nobody can make this decision except the individual involved. You and your family will live with the consequences of the decisions you make.

Rich Elliott is the Deputy Chief for Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue and has been active in emergency medical services for more than 11 years in Kittitas County. Prior to moving to Kittitas County, Deputy Chief Elliott worked for the SeaTac Fire Department.

The Kittitas County Community Network and the Network Board, through a federal Drug Free Communities grant, is implementing the “Start Talking Before They Start Drinking” as a community service for parents. For more information on the campaign, go to www.kccn-dfc.com.