2/24/04
Tammy and Kirk Domangue Join us in attending the City Council meeting to close the loophole in our Drinking laws this effort  supports policy that might prevent other underage kids from Cory's Fate in Baton Rouge. 
Ironically another young man 20 also from Franklin, experienced a DWI Crash over the weekend, and one young woman (19yrs old) is in the hospital in a coma.  We are praying for the young people involved in this crash, and for the City Council to use wisdom in assisting us in efforts to end underage harms that exist, clearly this loophole is one big piece of the puzzle impacting LSU students like Cory.

Update: 2/6/04  Tammy Domangue has sent a letter to Governor Blanco, asking for help in reducing the risks her 3 surviving children face in our states culture and excessive alcohol consumption, with virtually no warnings of known harms and risks.  Cory's Memory will be carried forward for efforts to reduce harm to other youth in our state.  Tammy has also voiced strong opposition to a local Baton Rouge effort to reduce alcohol control policies.  "How can anyone even consider this ordinance in Downtown Baton Rouge?  My son has not been gone even 5months, and they have forgotten how this culture views alcohol and the problems with current enforcement?"  Local media, and City Council members have received information on the existing alcohol problems in Baton Rouge, and the concerns of this family, and others on existing risks, and problems related to Alcohol.

HopeNetworks,  WeRecover,  Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking, Public Health officials, and Leadership from the Faith Community to meet 2/10/04 in New Orleans focused on policy that supports healthier safer communities for youth in our state.

1/15/04 Tammy and Kirk Domangue-Cory their son loved LSU football, and Tammy is just sure that his cheering from the heavens helped the Tigers win this years Sugar Bowl!  It is also a very sad thought to her, that Cory was not here, she talked to her son every day  when he was at his Tigerland apartment during school year.  Tammy and Kirk, want to see warnings increase, and basic public health information related to alcohol consumption become as widely known as the "Drink specials" you can see from Cory's apartment door.  She  also believes Cory's memory will drive this change in Louisiana.  We are working with her, and her family, supporting them in efforts to reduce the risks alcohol poses for other young people in the state.  Many of Cory's friends also attending  LSU have spoken to us, and want to help raise awareness, and create solutions, to help young people deal with crisis and alcohol. "He is the last person I would ever expect this to happen to, I don't ever recall seeing him drink, he actually took care of those who did" said one close friend.  Another friend who was close to Cory said "I knew him our entire lives, and Cory drank maybe 3 other times, and the 4th time was fatal for him, he had no idea, and I mean none that death was possible". 

12/03 This week the Wall Street Journal Article was published, Corey's death along with another alcohol related LSU student death were mentioned.  The Winn Dixie (A chain of grocery stores) where Corey allegedly purchased the rum he drank the night of his alcohol poisoning death, has apparently been sued by parents in other states,  for this identical act of negligence.  Selling alcohol to youth is deadly, especially when their brain chemistry was like Corey's (and other children of alcoholics).  What he didn't know, and what his parents didn't know, proved fatal when that clerk sold him the bottle with rum.  Corey had no idea how the alcohol he drank would effect him, he didn't know that he could not "feel" the effect like others, that his tolerance was different.  Eventually he stopped breathing.  Cory is not with us anymore, but his family is.  They are struggling to cope with this, and working ways to reach to other youth.  Cory won't be forgotten!  Too many of our kids like Corey, have hopes of going to LSU, and we need to work hard to change the way our environment welcomes youth to college, and what the environment near large groups of underage vulnerable youth are exposed to.  We need better systems to regulate, and monitor the illegal sales to youth, we need to promote safety measures that will save the lives of others who will suffer from alcohol poisoning.  Cory didn't have to die that night, but how could anyone have known! 

1/03 College freshmen learn more from an environment that promotes binge drinking, than from lectures, workshops, or educational materials on alcohol, according to a national study from the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study. The report examined why some college freshmen, who did not binge drink in high school, take up binge drinking, while others drink little or not at all.



11/2003 I have spoken to Tammy, Cory's mother.  This is a very difficult time for their family, and your continued thoughts and prayers are needed.  These overwhelming days of sadness and loss are hard on all those who loved this young man.  It is a very painful grief filled time and  yet she told me that she wants to do what it takes to  "help prevent someone else's child" from falling prey to the many risks we know exist in our state and country.  Those who have a family history of alcoholism are at  even greater risk, related to alcohol  harm.  Cory was an outstanding young man, greatly loved by those who knew him, he was an avid LSU football fan, great cook, and wonderful son.  Tammy shared with me that this was the last thing they expected.  It was totally out of character for their son.  One of the things we discussed was establishing a memorial fund to educate and support information and resources being widely distributed to college aged children across the state.   A hotline/helpline is also needed.  Education on alcohol poisoning and clear step by step instructions on what the signs are and how to respond quickly.  I can not imagine the pain they are experiencing, but like so many who have written in, want to help--in the near future we will begin efforts to remember Cory and in his spirit reach to others to prevent such a needless loss of life.

Read News related to Cory's alcohol poisoning, and family a history of alcoholism and long term recovery.

Appears we have a problem with "Kids Drinking"
More alcohol poisoning deaths see Ben Wynne news clips 
Comments on loss of another life......
This is such a needless loss of life. Our hearts and prayers go out to this young mans mother and father, unbelievable pain they are experiencing in loosing , a bright, driven, intelligent young man.  Truth be told many suffer from "alcohol poisoning", we only hear about the most tragic poisonings.  We need to be calculating the harm we know is rampant this state.  Tracking all the harm to youth, dwi's, poisonings, injury/accidents, will assist in working together in this sate to improves these areas.  We know that Corey's parent's are not alone.  We have hand and continue to have too many alcohol  problems in Louisiana for sure.  Our culture needs an overhaul,  continued loss of life, and ongoing harm  is just not acceptable.   It appears that drastic efforts are needed in  Louisiana. 

Lax Culture, and Passive Policy Makers, continues to prove fatal for Louisiana's youth.   
Another LSU Student Alcohol Poisoning results in underage alcohol death--We need DRASTIC measures to reduce harm to youth in Louisiana.  Every parent in Louisiana should read this as a last resort wake-up call to get busy changing what is proving to be a toxic environment to send your kids for an education.  One death was too many----this is simply the result of a lack education and awareness, few acknowledge publicly how bad the problem is with underage drinking in Louisiana.  Realistic measures to reduce harm are not in place.  We hope to lend a voice of common sense in our approach reducing these harms.  Our efforts this past legislative session will not be forgotten. For example, a Louisiana House of Representative Judiciary committee member,  Rep Yvonne Dorsey  Welsh,  who's district includes LSU---publicly lynched those of us who questioned her on not supporting science based policy efforts to reduce harm to underage youth.  We mentioned the history of failed efforts to pass laws to reduce underage risks (specifically campus risks) with this committee in the past and, we questioned  monies accepted by committee members from the alcohol industry-a strong lobby in Louisiana.
Rep Dorsey Welsh  killed the bill to limit access to underage drinkers. She also lectured us on why she can't be "bought or her votes can't be paid for".  The irony is her campaign finance reports tell a different story.   She and others, should refuse to accept campaign contributions from an industry that wants to maximize revenue and profits, and begin listening to those of us who are unpaid concerned mothers and father in this state.