Asphyxia and Teens
Dear Editors: I pretty much expect my teenager to take off his helmet or his life jacket as soon as he is out of sight. I pretty much expect him to jump off cliffs into shallow water and all the normal macho dumb stuff that most kids live through. However, there is a weird new risk: asphyxia. Local teens have been choking each other until they pass out. They took pictures of this and circulated the pictures among themselves, forgetting that the random adult was mixed into their contacts. I’m sure that almost all high-schoolers in Sitka have seen these pics. It is a safe bet that many will jump right in, doing their best to cut off the oxygen to their own brains.
Adults in the night crowd recently have begun making jokes about “autoerotic asphyxia.” One teen who experimented with oxygen deprivation told me it was a pleasant experience. Apparently, the accidental suicides of actors and others by intentional yet over-done asphyxia, have set an example for the craze, not a precaution.
Certainly all fully oxygenated parents and professionals involved with teenagers, must see the dangers. Kids around the country have been caught sexting and exchanging all kinds of photos. There have been legal consequences. Asphyxia presents an immediate risk of brain damage or death. These are risks that go beyond sexting and sexual harassment. Someone who strangles another person could enter a new phase of life dominated by the courts. I expect teens to do dumb things, but letting someone choke you adds a new dimension to the phrase, “stupid kids.”
Our kids are not stupid, but their phase in life does not allow much perspective. We need to mobilize as a community to teach kids about asphyxia. I can only ask, what next? Parents, talk to your kids. Mine listened. I’m not sure what actually sunk in.
John Welsh, Sitka
Harbor Way Planting
Dear Editor: Thank you to everyone who helped us to do a new planting on Harbor Way in downtown Sitka.
The landscaping project came together quickly in large part because Troy Bayne made a generous donation of soil that he even delivered to the site. Thanks, Troy! We got some great ideas from city staff as well as the Tree and Landscape Committee. We had a committed group of volunteers who started prepping the site with axes on June 24, and two weeks and four work parties later ended the campaign by planting flowers and greenery. This project could not have come together if it wasn’t for: Deb Miller, Cora Nisbet, Liz McKenzie, Matt Turner, Lisa Moore, Suzi Howey, and our ringer Jud Kirkness. On many days Jud would cap off a long day of working for the city by volunteering at our site. Jud is a true public servant and his guidance and support were invaluable.
Thanks also to Steve Bell with the state and Steve and Linda Andersen, who own Ben Franklin, for giving us the green light to plant on this corner, to Venneberg Insurance for providing much needed funding, and to Sitka Lutheran Church for providing the watering source.
Finally, a big thank you goes to the initial downtown revitalization work group who added this planting into their improvement plan. In 2011 revitalizing downtown was selected as a top priority at the Sitka Health Summit and since then so many beautification projects have happened. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make our downtown wonderful for all to enjoy.
Doug Osborne, Tonya Venneberg,
Tree and Landscape Committee,
Sitka
