NEWS | October 15, 2003

Police
Overdose puts 2 athletes in hospital
The softball players are back at school and OK, Athletics Department says.

By Angel Verdejo and Britney Tabor
The Shorthorn staff

Two Lady Maverick softball players were taken to the hospital for treatment late Friday after an apparent drug overdose of GHB, a depressant.

Athletics Department officials said Tuesday that both athletes, infielders Natalie Mullin and Jenna Fortune, were back at school and at team workouts. According to a statement released by the department, punishment, if any is necessary for the related incidents, would be handled by coaches.

“Any disciplinary matters regarding student-athletes are handled by the athletic administration and/or coaches and are dealt with internally,” the release stated.

Coaches Debbie Hedrick and Angela Perry did not return phone calls from The Shorthorn on Tuesday about the incident and what disciplinary actions may be taken.

According to an Arlington Police Department incident report, officers were dispatched to 1606 Azalea Drive, where they found sophomores Fortune and Mullin overdosed on the drug.

Christy Gilfour, an Arlington Police Department spokesperson, said a 9-1-1 call came from the residence at about 11:15 p.m. indicating that someone needed medical assistance regarding an overdose. Gilfour said she spoke with Sgt. David Stevens, an officer at the scene, who said Fortune lost consciousness before police arrived and that Mullin left in a car with friends. The friends, however, quickly returned to the scene when Mullin was acting strange and lost consciousness, Gilfour said.

She said around 20 people were at the location before police arrived. The owner of the residence was not among those remaining but later returned and was cooperative, Gilfour said.

Police collected evidence of the drug and alcohol at the scene and will pass it on to narcotics agents investigating the incident. She said all reports indicated both players intentionally ingested the drug.

“Officers who interviewed witnesses at the scene learned that both women had told people they had ingested GHB,” she said.

Police advised those remaining at the scene about the effects of the drug. No citations were written, and Gilfour said no charges related to the drug overdose will be filed.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the drug GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate is commonly used for body-building or to induce euphoric and sedative effects. Overdose effects include coma and seizures. When combined with alcohol, it can result in nausea and difficulty breathing. GHB is also used as a date rape drug.

An Arlington Memorial Hospital spokesperson said both players were admitted Friday. Mullin was released Saturday, and Fortune was released Sunday.

Charles Fortune, Jenna’s father, said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter.

Senior outfielder April Jones said she couldn’t comment Tuesday except that the two players are well.

Arlington officers notified UTA Police that the two students had been hospitalized. The UTA Police Department’s Monday activity log said Athletics Director Pete Carlon was notified of the incident. Carlon is in Dallas attending Southland Conference meetings and was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

— Editor in chief Caren M. Penland contributed to this article.

ClarificatioN

This story should have said police found alcohol at the scene but did not collect it as evidence. Also, police are not yet sure if evidence collected is drug related.

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