Search And Rescue Responded To 2 Different Drugged Hiking C.U. Boulder Students Saturday Evening

Students at CU Boulder have long fit into the "adventurous" group. From skiing to hiking and rock climbing, pupils tend not to shy away from outdoor experiences. To the (almost certain) chagrin of many administrators, students' desire to try new things frequently extends beyond the outdoor realm and into drug use. In many cases the two worlds overlap.

Exhibit A: On Saturday, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call from six CU students hiking Flagstaff Mountain to watch the sunset. According to the police report, the six did not have proper clothing, supplies, or flashlights -- they latched onto another group of three who did have flashlights for help getting back down.

Somewhere in the hubbub one of the students lost the trail, triggering a 911 call and the subsequent response of seven different search and rescue/law enforcement agencies. The student in question was found 100 yards from the trail under the influence of LSD. He and another student were charged for unlawful use of a controlled substance.

At about the same time this drama unfolded on Flagstaff Mountain, two other CU students were stuck between the first and second Flatiron after smoking Marijuana and freaking out on the descent. Again, seven agencies responded to help the hikers out.

The takeaway? Frankly, we're astounded this doesn't happen more often. And while some CU students seem well-versed in recreational drug use, a refresher on plain ol' recreation is never a bad idea.

flickr photo via Andrew-Hyde

WATCH Freakonomics author Steven Dubner explain the economics of dealing drugs:

Comments

[aphextwin07]

03:54 PM on 10/03/2011

amateurs

[coloradocowboy]

05:53 PM on 09/26/2011

"Flat Landers" is what we used to call people that were not thinking or being prepared for a walk in the woods. Back in the day, even the hippies were smarter then these guys and a h*ll of lot higher.

PLEASE tell these people to stay away from the mines.

[britamer1]

02:38 PM on 09/26/2011

Future leaders of America! Unprepared, Unknowledgable and Stoned.

[SubgeniusMustHaveSlack]

04:59 PM on 09/26/2011

What's the excuse for the current leaders of America?

[No Longer Amused 25]

08:00 PM on 09/26/2011

They are afraid of teabaggers.

[britamer1]

10:08 PM on 09/26/2011

None! They were the best of the previous generation! The more things change the more they remain the same.

[TheDodoBird]

11:57 AM on 09/27/2011

What a st.u.pi.d thing to say.

[Savage Lotus]

02:10 PM on 09/26/2011

So if they were high on LSD they get charged and deal with it. Whats the issue here? Young people do stupid stuff - especially ones in college and away from home. I grew up in college towns. They are grownups and will suffer cosnequences. I'm sorry of it puts a strain on emergency workers, but thats life.

[bkblue517]

10:04 PM on 09/26/2011

The issue here Is costs extra money to get these rescue workers workers out there! These kids should be paying the bills, not the taxpayers! If you want to do drugs, stay at home and be stupid!!

[irrenmann]

12:16 AM on 09/27/2011

I concur that if the response of rescue agencies was necessitated by the illegal behavior, the perpetrators should be liable for the costs.

[Savage Lotus]

01:36 PM on 09/27/2011

Why are they not being held responsible for the costs? If you dial 911 in most states and there is no emergency, you pay for the ambulance call. Is it not that way when emergency responders are called here?