newsobserver.com blogs
WakeEd
The WakeEd blog is devoted to discussing and answering questions about the major issues facing the Wake County school system: the reassignment of thousands of students, the conversion of traditional-calendar schools to a year-round schedule, the district's response to growth and the school construction program.
WakeEd is maintained by The News & Observer's Wake schools reporter, T. Keung Hui. While Keung posts information and analysis on the issues, keep us posted on your suggestions, questions, tips and what you're doing to cope with the changes in Wake's schools.
The "choking game"
Submitted by KeungHui on 11/21/2008 - 07:00
Are your children playing the "choking game?"
As noted in today's article by Sam Spies, it's believed to be how Enloe High student Kris Marceno died earlier this month. While Wake school officials say it's not "prevalent" in this area, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention warns that 82 kids have died nationwide playing it since 1995.
This "game" involves strangling yourself to cut off the flow of oxygen to the brain. While it can produce a state of euphoria, it can lead to death if you pass out.
Marceno's death has created a lot of chatter online, including a tribute video on YouTube.
Enloe's PTSA plans to have a discussion on the choking game in January. The goal is to warn parents about the dangers of an activity that they may not know is being done by their kids.
"It was a wakeup call for teens to be aware and do something about it," said Adrienne Lumpkin, Enloe's PTSA president. "If you have friends who are doing it, you need to go to their parents. This is something you need to make a stand on."
Advertisements
© Copyright 2008, The News & Observer Publishing Company
A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company
Comments
Another web site about this.
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 16:41 — ConcernedParentwww.gaspinfo.com
The flash video is very sobering. Not sure if is the same one that Mr. Hui posted.
It's the same video from the
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 17:06 — KeungHui (author)It's the same video from the same group but with different urls.
I'm so ancient, I never
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 15:11 — louiselee44I'm so ancient, I never heard of such...
SO Sad
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 12:33 — Lisa_BWow, this is so sad. I was just told yesterday that there is an online video describing this game that you should watch with your kids, but haven't received the link yet. When I do, I'll pass it along.
Does anyone remember a slumber party game we used to play where you would take 20 quick shallow breaths and then a friend would practically give you the Heimlich from behind to get you to temporarily pass out? I don't think I ever passed out, but I think we all faked it to prove that it "worked". It sounds like this may be the updated version?
My prayers are with his family during this horribly sad time.
You're probably referring to
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 12:51 — KeungHui (author)You're probably referring to this video.
such a tragedy
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 10:26 — louiselee44Add our family's prayers as well.
This sort of thing has a solemn way of humbling us and of putting things in stark perspective.
purley academic
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 09:51 — robdarichWithout emotion, it seems clear that the desire to experience uphoria may be so prevalent that people will choke themselves for it.
Seems human nature can be both wonderful and disturbing.
Thank you for bringing
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 09:11 — BlogObserverThank you for bringing attention to this Mr. Hui. My prayers are with this family as well.
Agree Dadof3. I have heard
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 08:51 — rr77rr99Agree Dadof3. I have heard about this "game" for four years now.
And, I, too send prayers and condolences to the family. How very tragic and I was deeply saddened when I read his obit.
Yep
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 08:45 — Dadof3Don't let the notice that it's not "prevalent" fool you. Its closer to home than you think. Ask your kids -- it's happening on the bus ride in and at school. Our prayers are with this boy's family.