This happens all to often, and I think part of the cause is the "restrictions" placed on alcohol consumption, here. Many of these young people think that "booze" is a "right of passage" into Adulthood, and therefore, they don't recognize the dangers of drinking. When I was in Germany, I noticed that it was not uncommon for a teenager to come into a Gasthaus, and get a small sip of Schnaps, on a cold Winter day. Over there, at least back in the 1960's, there weren't many laws restricting youth alcohol consumption, and those kids grew up knowing and accepting the consequences of alcohol abuse...so it was very rare to see a drunk teenager. Most of the drunks, back then, were American GI's, or old Germans trying to drown their bad memories from WWII.
These US fraternities need to find another way to conduct their childish initiations, or face being barred from campus if they think that excessive Booze is acceptable behavior.
