Binge Drinking and Sniffing … A Major Concern on Aruba so says The Red Cross … Could It Have Played a part?

The Red Cross is concerned with sniffing and binge drinking in Aruba. This is a rather interesting comment coming from the Red Cross in Aruba. One wonders what would possess individuals to binge drink or inhale petrol, glue or paint thinner products. A rather peculiar comment was made by the Red Cross in the below Amigoe article that makes many ponder possible scenarios to why Natalee Holloway went missing.

There were in additions several accidents due to alcohol abuse and sniffing of substances, like alcohol mixed with petrol, especially amongst teenagers, said Greg Peterson, chairman of the Red Cross in Aruba.

This abuse causes aggressiveness and the Red Cross is not happy with this.

We know that the three suspects were drinking at Carlos N’ Charlies. We also know that Carlos N’ Charlies is infamous for getting its patrons drunk, like HERE, HERE and HERE. We also know that Joran Van der Sloot admitted that he bought Natalee Holloway 151 rum. Many had questioned that 151 was a rather strange choice of drink to order a girl. Is it though if there is a culture in Aruba among some teenagers who binge drink and abuse alcohol, especially those that would frequent C&C one to three times a week.

There we bought a “Yard Whiskey Coke”. Such a drink costs U.S. $ 12,-. It is a plastic cup and it comes in different colors. I payed for all three drinks. I got a red cup but I do not remember now what color cups Deepak and Satish got.

When Natalee got onto the bar I thought that she was drunk. I could clearly tell that Natalee had been drinking. I could smell this from the smell that came out of Natalee’s mouth. I also have to say that when I saw Natalee dancing I also noticed that she had been drinking.

 After that Natalee and me walked to another bar that was still open at that time. I asked the bartender two shots of Bacardi 151. I still had the whiskey coke in my hand. Natalee asked me if she should drink the Bacardi 151 in one go. I answered her affirmatively and she answered me that she would do it in two. Natalee said to me that she needed a “chaser” in order to drink the Bacardi. Natalee drank my whiskey coke as a “chaser” and then she drank the Bacardi 151 in two goes. I payed for the two shots of Bacardi 151. (Joran Van der Sloot, PROCES-VERBAAL – JORAN 6/9/2005)

One can only imagine what could happen if “sniffing” occurred by those suspected of Natalee’s disappearance that night as the mixture causes aggressiveness. Things to ponder. Now factor in the use of roofies … truly something to think about.

Amigoe, January 22, 2007: Red Cross busy during torchlight parade. Concern about sniffing and binge drinking 

Greg Peterson, chairman of the Red Cross, is concerned about alcohol abuse and sniffing during carnival.

ORANJESTAD – The Red Cross was so busy during the torchlight parade on January 6th last, that they call up the population to behave more responsible during the next parades.  The binge drinking symptom and sniffing cause many problems. 

The Red Cross had 30 volunteers patrolling the route in order to give and call in assistance on site.  Three of the volunteers manned the ambulance.

They have assisted as much as 48 people with problems like hyperventilation, low blood sugar level, high blood pressure, and fever during the parade and after. 

There were in additions several accidents due to alcohol abuse and sniffing of substances, like alcohol mixed with petrol, especially amongst teenagers, said Greg Peterson, chairman of the Red Cross in Aruba.

This abuse causes aggressiveness and the Red Cross is not happy with this.

Of the 48 victims, as much as 10 had serious symptoms of alcohol poisoning.  There was also a case of stabbing, and this person had to be rushed to the hospital.  The Red Cross calls it remarkable that the aggressiveness of drunks often aims at bystanders and even at relief workers. 

SNIFFING

Sniffing is a generic term for gases coming from petrol and glue or thinner products.  It is being used to get a short but strong euphoric feeling (be High).  It is very dangerous for the health; it hurts the brains; it can cause physical and mental damage that are irreparable; it affects the heart; it causes acute nausea and nose bleeding, liver, lung, and kidney problems.  When chronically used, it damages the muscles.  It can also cause immediate death by suffocation or heart attack.  The symptoms of binge drinking are life threatening for the consumer and for bystanders or the family.  It can ruin a special event.

“Let’s act responsible and enjoy together”, says Peterson.