On a chilly evening in February, a mother named Laura Thompson received the tragic news that no parent ever wants to hear: her 19-year-old son, Jake, had passed away. Jake, a pledge at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at State University, had engaged in a night of heavy drinking during a pledging event. Security footage revealed fraternity members not only promoting underage drinking but also showing a shocking lack of concern for Jake, who was clearly intoxicated.
After hours of participating in a drinking game, Jake tragically fell down a staircase at the fraternity house. Cameras captured his so-called friends dragging him back upstairs and tossing him onto a couch, where he lay for a staggering 12 hours before anyone noticed he required urgent medical help. During that time, his fraternity brothers could be seen slapping his face, punching his stomach, and even pouring water on him while he was unconscious. To prevent him from rolling over and choking on his own vomit, they placed a backpack filled with books on his chest. Ah, the kindness of friends, right?
The timeline, as reported in court documents and news articles, is harrowing for any parent to digest. Jake received his first drink shortly after 9 p.m. and was already visibly impaired just 90 minutes later. He was incapacitated from both his fall and alcohol consumption. For twelve long hours, he was neglected, mistreated, and allowed to slip deeper into an alcoholic coma before emergency services were finally called.
It was twelve hours too late. Jake succumbed to complications from his ordeal, and now several fraternity brothers face manslaughter charges for their roles in this heartbreaking tragedy.
As I read this account, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of disbelief and fury at the apathy displayed by those involved. How could a group of young men stand by and let a friend suffer so? Was it peer pressure? Fraternity culture? We find ourselves rattled and outraged by yet another avoidable death tied to reckless drinking.
Are we falling short in educating our teens about alcohol? More importantly, are we ensuring they grow up to be empathetic and responsible individuals? As my son approaches high school, I worry about the lessons he’ll take with him into the world. Will he know to call for help if he sees a friend in distress? The thought of a similar scenario happening to him, like it did to Jake, makes my heart race.
As parents, we need to step up our game in teaching our kids about the dangers of alcohol consumption. It’s not just about the risks of drinking; it’s also about recognizing when a friend might need help.
Sure, we could point fingers at the university, the fraternity, and the adults who should have been overseeing the students. But, unfortunately, that won’t change what happened to Jake.
We could rage against the individuals involved and demand justice, but that won’t ease the pain for Jake’s family. And while it’s easy to cast judgment on the parents of those charged, the truth is, we must focus on what we can do to prevent future tragedies.
Having conversations about alcohol when your child is about to head off to college isn’t enough. We must start these dialogues when they’re young. Early and often discussions about drinking are crucial, as highlighted by resources like talkearlyandoften.com and responsiblilty.org.
Talk to them about your own experiences with alcohol. Share why you sometimes feel fuzzy after a night out and emphasize the importance of making thoughtful choices. Discuss the news stories that involve alcohol-related incidents. Help them download a rideshare app and reassure them that you’ll cover the fare if needed—no matter what it costs.
Share your college experiences (minus the truly embarrassing stuff). Kids often see us as role models, and knowing we’ve faced similar challenges can empower them when they encounter their own.
Most importantly, talk about situations like Jake’s and discuss what they should do if they ever find themselves in a similar predicament. Practice scenarios with them, so they feel confident speaking up in a crowd that might hesitate to call for help.
And after you’ve talked, make sure to listen. Encourage your kids to share their thoughts on peer pressure and parties.
Talk. Listen. Repeat. Because there’s a mother out there who would give anything for just one more conversation with her son.
In summary, it’s imperative for parents to engage in ongoing, open dialogues about alcohol with their children from a young age. This proactive approach can help instill empathy and responsibility in them, ultimately saving lives.