MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - An alcohol enema, or "butt-chugging", conjures up images of booze and frat houses. And reportedly that is a reality at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Apparently butt-chugging was popularized in the movie “Jackass 2”; while the terminology probably generates some back-handed snickers, it is no laughing matter.
“It’s supposed to be a way to get drunk quicker,” said University of Memphis senior, Jamarious Farley.
According to Knoxville police, butt-chugging by several members of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at the University of Tennessee caused 20-year-old Memphian, Alexander Broughton, to become unresponsive.
“Compared to oral ingestion of alcohol,” said Dr. Ray Walther, “the method they were using would expose a large amount of mucus membrane to a large volume of alcohol in a very short time.”
Walther is the Director of Emergency Medicine for Methodist Hospital in Memphis.
“As a result the alcohol would be absorbed much more rapidly.”
While declining to make a formal statement, Mark Broughton, Alexander’s father said by phone:
“Some things out there are not true. We are conducting our own investigation. Medically my son is fine; he hasn’t missed a class. But he is concerned about defamation.”
A building in southeast Memphis houses the international headquarters for Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Nobody there wanted to speak on camera; releasing a prepared statement instead.
“The recent allegations against these individuals have come as a complete shock to the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity,” the statement read in part.
The PIKE logo boasts they are building gentlemen, so… "butt-chugging"?
“It’s unheard of,” said an unidentified UT student, “and definitely not supported by the Greek community.”
“These alleged activities are not consistent with our mission, or representative of what is expected from our members,” the PIKE statement added.
“It is very dangerous,” said Heather Sutton of the Knoxville Drug Commission, “and that’s what we hope people will understand from this situation.”
Dr. Walther noted, “Alcohol in high quantities, whether you get it through the rectum or through the mouth, can be lethal.”
Broughton’s blood alcohol level was reportedly five times the legal limit.
Pi Kappa Alpha at UT Knoxville was put on thirty days suspension; a decision on its permanent status still pending.
No criminal charges have been filed.
