Three cases of alcohol poisoning were reported at Cal State Long Beach during a two-week period in February, when students came to campus drunk.
The students were hospitalized and expected to make a full recovery, according to an email from the Housing and Residential Life office.
The email was sent to all dorm residents in response to the three incidents and specified how to identify signs of alcohol poisoning.
Additionally, door signs about alcohol safety were hung on each resident’s door.
Carol Roberts-Corb, director of housing and residential life, said she believed many television shows like “Jersey Shore” influence students to binge drink.
“I don’t think [the students] understand the serious repercussions of drinking to such an extreme,” Roberts-Corb said.
“That’s why we’re trying to respond with education,” she continued.
Although it’s unusual to have many alcohol-poisoning incidents, like this past February, there is an increase in students binge drinking as well as their chances of alcohol poisoning, according to University Police Capt. Scott Brown.
On average, three to five cases of alcohol poisoning on campus are reported every year, Brown said.
“People are getting much more drunk,” Brown said.
“While we’re not seeing a whole lot of increase here on campus drinking, I think it’s off campus coming back,” he continued.
Housing and Residential Life and the University Police Department worked with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Program (ATOD) on campus to raise students’ awareness about alcohol poisoning.
ATOD’s mission is to educate students about the dangers of alcohol and other drug abuse, according to their website.
The dorms have a no-alcohol policy for the students’ safety and health.
Although the police department worked with ATOD for the events that occurred in February, Brown said that he still believes “it’s individual responsibility” when it comes to preventing alcohol poisoning.
“A lot of times it’s young people,” Brown said.
“We’re not after them because they’re underage, we’re more concerned about them being taken care of medically,” he continued.