Most of us have faced peer pressure at some point in our lives, especially during our school years. The drive to fit in and be accepted can be particularly strong in high school, leading some students to go to great lengths to be popular.
A tragic example of this is 13-year-old Chase Owen from England. In May, his mother found him unconscious in their garden, the result of alcohol poisoning caused by taking shots of vodka at school for three days to impress the popular boys in his class who were bringing soda bottles filled with alcohol.
Peer pressure, especially in high school, can be a dangerous force. Chase’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks and consequences of succumbing to the pressure to conform and be accepted by one’s peers.
A Near Death Experience
Chase’s survival after three days of heavy drinking is nothing short of a miracle. When his mother found him, his blood alcohol level was a staggering 0.2%, which is two and a half times the legal limit for driving and could have easily killed a fully grown adult.
Upon arrival at the hospital, paramedics were initially unsure of the cause of Chase’s condition, suspecting possible meningitis, stroke, or a severe headache. It wasn’t until a toxicity report revealed the high level of alcohol in his system.
While it’s fortunate that Chase is recovering, his mother’s response is equally noteworthy. She chose to share pictures of him in the hospital and use his experience to raise awareness and educate other parents on the dangers of both peer pressure and underage drinking.
The Facebook Post
Jo Owen’s post was powerful and impactful. She shared pictures of Chase in the hospital hooked up to life-saving equipment, and one of these images went viral and caught the attention of people nationwide.
Along with photos, Jo Owen wrote the following:
“Finding Chase collapsed in my front garden yesterday after school I instantly knew something wasn’t right. According to him, he was just tired. We have now found out from investigations at the school, that over the course of three days, Chase had been downing shots of vodka that the ‘popular’ boys were brought into school in Coke bottles. He was trying to impress these boys to fit in with them! And in turn, almost died!
“We need to educate our teens that it is okay not to fit in, be different & have our own identities. We don’t need to impress anyone, be yourself and you will find the right friends, not the most popular ones. You do not need to be in the popular group at school to be successful once you are no longer in school.”
Three out of four teenagers aged 12-17 have had alcohol at least once. Chase was fortunate, but not all children are as lucky. If you are a parent with a child experimenting with alcohol or drugs or know someone who is, please don’t hesitate to seek help. Assistance is readily available.