Choking is a deadly ‘game’
March 23, 2010
Alex Tucker
There are many activities that high school students are told to abstain from. Teens are advised against smoking, doing drugs, skipping school and other destructive behaviors.
One dangerous trend that is not often covered, though, is a deadly activity teenagers have dubbed ‘the choking game.’
This is the practice of cutting off blood flow to the brain to achieve a natural high. The key is for the person to release pressure from their neck just before they pass out. But too many teens have died from not freeing themselves soon enough. This ‘game’ is often played with friends and, even more risky, alone.
This ‘game’ has been going on for many years, but the recent use of bonds such as ropes or ties has contributed to its growing fatality rate, in addition to more kids doing it alone. The organization Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play, also known as G.A.S.P., estimates that between 250 and 1,000 teens die each year from the choking game, but statistics are hard to track, because many are reported as suicides.
A place that has experienced firsthand the deadly effects of the choking game is Issaquah High School. On March 30, 2009, the choking game took the life of Issaquah sophomore Kevin Tork. As a student with good grades and a dedication to learning, his
death came as a shock to many students.
“I sat next to him in math, and when I came into school one day to find that he was gone, it just blew me away,” junior Hayley Vickers said. “It was very unexpected, because he was the last person I would ever think would go that way.”
Perhaps the most frightening part of this growing trend is easy access to instructions. Sites such as YouTube explain in detail how to play the choking game, and the lightheartedness shown in the videos only encourages teens to try it. The videos do not discuss the immense risk and danger of it; they only portray the choking game as being fun.
The choking game is not an activity to be taken lightly, and the consequences of participating in this immensely dangerous ‘game’ can be devastating.
Off The Press
March 23, 2010
Brackets: Not just for office betting pools
Greg Farrar Press photographer
Brainstorm!
If necessity is the mother of invention, if desperation breeds creativity, maybe today’s column is the proof. In a panic on deadline for something to write about, maybe the humble thought I’ve just had is a stroke of genius.
Thank you, NCAA tournament! Thank you, my disorganized life! Combine the two, mix well, and behold, the invention of Bracketology Organization!
How many chores around the house are piled up undone for me to do? Oh, I don’t know, maybe 50 or 60, or even… 64! The four first-seed chores could be rebuilding the driveway, cleaning out the garage, building the fence and installing the new flooring. Read more
Roll Call
March 23, 2010
Y = Yes, N = No, E = Excused, X = Not Voting
Senate Bill 6696 creates an accountability framework for the state’s education system. The bill would require the superintendent of public instruction to enact an accountability system for school districts where persistently low-achieving schools are located. Additionally, the act establishes a four-level rating system to evaluate teachers and principals, which includes measurements of effectiveness in such areas as teaching practices and fostering a safe learning environment. The House amended the bill adding additional provisions including the use of federal funds for implementation of required action plans, requiring a report on recommendations for a single statewide assessment standard and plans to increase the number of teachers in math and sciences. The House passed it 72- 25. It’s before the governor for signature. Read more
Press Editorial
March 23, 2010
‘Blueprint’ purports to reshape government
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently unveiled his “blueprint for reform” to reshape the way King County government operates. It’s a step in the right direction, but it will take more than words to make us believers. Read more
Sports Calendar
March 23, 2010
Adult Sports
Issaquah Alps Trail Club
- March 26, 10 a.m., Dogs Welcome Hike, 4-5 miles, 600-1,000 gain. Call 206-322-0990 … March 27, 9:30 a.m., West Tiger, 9.5 miles, 3,700 gain. Call 281-8465 … March 28, 10 a.m., Coal Creek history hike, 1.5 miles, 150 gain. Call 453-8997. Read more
Wine and dine with us at Taste Washington
March 23, 2010
Reporters Warren Kagarise and Chantelle Lusebrink will wine and dine through Taste Washington, a weekend-long celebration of Evergreen State food and wine. Read more
Public Meetings
March 23, 2010
March 24
Council Services & Safety Committee Read more
New fire marshal comes to EFR
March 23, 2010
Eastside Fire & Rescue has filled its fire marshal position, and more. Read more
Track season ripe with high hopes
March 23, 2010
Track preview
Haley Jacobson, of Issaquah, anchors the 4x200 relay team to take third place at the state 4A track and field championships in 2009. By Greg Farrar
Troy Solly, a Liberty High School senior, towers over his opponent at nearly 6-feet, 5-inches tall, and he uses his long legs to race down the track.
Solly, who also played lineman and linebacker on the football team and power forward and center on the basketball team, is now in his fourth year on the Liberty track team.
“Originally, I just came out because I didn’t play baseball,” he said.
Last year, he ran in the 400-meter sprint, 4×400-meter relay, 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. He recorded the team’s best time of the season in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.35 seconds at the KingCo Conference Championships.
He also posted personal bests of 54.34 seconds in the 400-meter run and 17.04 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles.
This year, he looks to participate in the same races and possibly the javelin throw or the triple jump.
He said he loves track because he gets to battle the clock and push himself as hard as he can. Read more
Big crowd for a big church
March 23, 2010
Eastridge Christian Assembly board members cut the ribbon to open the congregation’s new building as parishioners look on March 20 at the dedication of the facility, located at 24205 S.E. Issaquah-Fall City Road. Photo by Greg Farrar
