DALLAS, Apr 7, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The illegal drug use that resulted in
the 2006 death of a Southern Methodist University fraternity member was not an
isolated incident, school officials say.
In barring the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house from holding any events until November
and fining it $5,000, SMU officials said its investigation found that Jake
Stiles, 20, of Naperville, Ill., was not the only fraternity member who took
illegal drugs during the Dec. 2, 2006, party that resulted in Stiles' death, The
Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday.
"SMU has concluded that the use of illegal drugs by members of the fraternity
was not isolated to the student who died," Lori White, SMU vice president for
student affairs, said in a statement released Monday. "Statements made by
several SAE members indicate there was drug use by additional fraternity members
in the SAE house or as part of fraternity activities."
Administrators did not suspend SAE, but placed it under stipulations it must
adhere to or face possible removal from the university, the newspaper said.
Police said the cause of Stiles' death was a prescription painkiller called
fentanyl, but traces of cocaine and alcohol were also reportedly found in his
system.
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