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The Starks family has an important message for Utah college students: hazing can kill.
The family knows firsthand. Michael Starks, 18, died of alcohol poisoning in a hazing incident one year ago this month.
Now his family hopes to honor Starks' memory by petitioning to pass a Good Samaritan law, which could have saved his life.
Starks was pledging the Sigma Nu fraternity at Utah State University last November when he was "kidnapped" by the Chi Omega sorority next door. He drank enough vodka to induce alcohol poisoning and died in his sleep at the Sigma Nu house that night.
The Starks family is petitioning to create a Good Samaritan law in Utah, which would allow people in trouble with drugs or alcohol to call for help without fear of prosecution. They believe that had Michael's friends been able to call for help without fear of prosecution, he might still be alive today.
"It has become alarmingly apparent that many young lives are lost in Utah each year because people are too scared or fearful to make the correct calls," Michael's brother George Starks said on the family Web site, www.michaelstarks.org.
If the family is able to reach their goal of 18,000 signatures --- 1,000 for each year of Michael's life -- state Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, and state Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, have pledged to sponsor anti-hazing and Good Samaritan legislation next
Moss previously sponsored a Good Samaritan law at the Legislature, but it failed. She is hopeful Starks' death will reignite the issue. She applauds the work the Starks' family is doing to raise awareness of the issue.
"They are actively doing something to bring a good outcome from this tragic circumstance," Moss said.
The family has created two petitions, one for voters and one for teens, available on Michael's memorial Web site. The family believes that teens, though not allowed to vote, are extremely likely to be influenced by a Good Samaritan law.
Students at Juan Diego High School have gotten the message. Senior Megan O'Brien has started a signature drive to help the family and even created a public service announcement which aired on the school's newscast.
It convinced fellow senior Jasmine Yu, who signed the petition because a Good Samaritan law might end up helping her classmates as they head to college.
The family hopes to turn in the signatures on the one-year anniversary of Michael's death, Nov. 21.
They also plan to continue to speak out against hazing. George Starks spoke at this year's Greek Summit at the University of Utah, and has pledged to speak on behalf of any Good Samaritan and anti-hazing legislation.
They can only hope that next time someone is in Michael's situation, someone else will feel safe enough to make the call that could save a life.
