Alcohol poisoning sends two UW students to hospital

SEATTLE -- Two University of Washington students were rushed to the hospital by paramedics and suffering from alcohol poisoning.  And it’s only three weeks before classes start.

It happened at the Pi Beta Phi sorority house on Tuesday, and now the two young women are doing fine.

And the college is now commending the actions of their sisters for calling 911.

Just one look along 'sorority row,' it’s hard to miss the beer bottles and cans littering the sidewalk, but it’s what happened at one sorority house that has students talking.

“I just heard ambulances driving by, I think it was 1 in the morning,” said neighbor Ross Zeiger.

Witnesses said two young women were sent to the hospital to be checked out after drinking too much.

“It makes you think,” added Zeiger. “You don’t want that to happen to yourself or your friends.”

Before fall semester, all fraternity and sorority houses are required to take training on alcohol and substance abuse. A recent survey shows 22% of UW students chose not to drink alcohol in the past year, but the risk of alcohol poisoning is still a concern for administrators.

“We want everyone to watch out for each other, take care of yourself and take care of your friends,” said Shannon Bailie with the UW Health and Wellness office of student life. “It sounds like that’s what happened in this case so we’re very thankful that was the outcome we had. “

And unlike Washington State University, UW administrators don’t inform parents about run-ins with alcohol.

“Most students who are 18 and older are considered adults and we respect their privacy. If there is a safety concern or there is something dangerous to the point at which we need to reach out to family, we will,” said Bailie. “But first we want to start with students and give them the skills to stay safe.”

Pi Beta Phi wouldn’t go on camera, but they sent Q13 Fox News a statement.

“We expect all of our members to follow all state, local and university laws and regulations,” said Eily Cummings with the sorority. “Pi Beta Phi's policies also state that no alcohol is permitted on Pi Beta Phi property.”

Even so, some students are vowing to stay away from booze all together.

“If i start, I’m afraid I might get addicted to it,” said UW senior Esther Lee. “It’s not good for my body so I’d rather not put in anything that will mess me up.

Not only does the UW reach out to kids about alcohol abuse, they’re also reminding students that even though I-502 legalized marijuana, it’s still illegal to smoke or even have the stuff on campus because the university receives federal funds.