There is no humor in drinking to death or near-death.

I am appalled by the lack of judgment of this paper for running the Washington Post article, "For 'drunk shamers,' no gutter is sacred" (Jan. 28). The writer, while attempting to be humorous, makes this behavior sound like wholesome fun or a common rite of passage. There are even promotional information and highlighted links to Web sites, to encourage more of this fun.

Each year, approximately 1,400 students die in alcohol-related accidents, a number higher than the total enrollment of Guilford College. Many of these college students die with clever markings on their face written by other drunken students -- who should have called 911. No one is laughing in this case, as parents, friends and roommates mourn a young person's senseless death -- and what they might have done to stop it.

Now tell us what is so funny about this? Please take responsibility for irresponsible journalism and provide readers with information on what to do with someone in this state of intoxication.

I am fearful that the next article that we read on this subject will not be in your "Life" section but instead in "obituaries."

Alan Neely
Oak Ridge