PHS Girl Medically Treated After Drinking Alcohol at Football Game

A girl was transported by ambulance from last Friday's football game after she was found intoxicated and in need of medical help, according to school officials. 

Portsmouth High School Principal Robert Littlefield issued a statement via the school's ListServe on Monday. The e-mail arrived in a few Spam folders, and may not have been received by all parents. However, the statement addresses the incident on Friday. 

"In keeping with my practice of full disclosure on such issues, I want to report an unfortunate incident that happened on campus this past Friday night at our home football game vs. Cranston East," Littlefield writes. "Our assistant principal, , who was doing student supervision at the game noticed a young woman near the booster snack bar who was obviously under the influence of alcohol.

"After spending a few minutes with the girl it became clear to him that she required medical care, prompting a call to emergency medical services.

"The young woman was transported to Newport Hospital where she was treated and later released to a parent. She had ingested a significant amount of alcohol on campus and became quickly intoxicated. No other drugs were involved."

Goss later discovered a second young woman, who had also been consuming alcohol on the football field, according to school officials. She was later released to the custody of her parents. 

Two young men were found to be the ones who procured the alcohol and brought it to campus. They were interviewed on campus Monday morning with their parents. 

Subsequent to school policy, all four students have received 10-day suspensions from school. They will be required to attend at least one meeting with the student assistance counselor upon their return to school.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the events of Friday night continues.

"More suspensions are possible," said Goss by telephone on Monday. 

Littlefield also commended the school staff for acting quickly on Friday night.  

"I want to commend Mr. Goss for his vigilance and his proactive stance in seeking medical help. His actions probably prevented a more serious, perhaps tragic, situation," wrote the high school principal.  

"We will continue to exercise supervision at our home athletic events and to enforce our strict policies regarding drugs and alcohol at school-sponsored events.

"Of course, the best line of defense against underage drinking is ongoing dialogue among parents and school officials. Students will always show a tendency toward making poor decisions. That propensity for poor decisions is always lessened by cooperative adult supervision."