The Good Kids: Interview with Cindy Loven

The following is an interview conducted by The Pentecostal Messenger with PCG pastor’s wife Cindy Loven (AR) concerning “the Choking Game.”

PM: What exactly is “the Choking Game?”

It is a game where kids cut off their oxygen supply for a bit, to get a head rush. It is often called the “good kid's drug” because they can get a buzz without using illegal drugs

PM: What happens when you play this “Game?” Are there side effects?

Well, you get a buzz, a headrush type feeling, but the dangerous thing is, every time you deprive your brain of oxygen, you cause brain damage, irreversible damage.

PM: How did you become aware of the Choking Game?

I had heard of it, but didnt know much about it, but we really became aware of it when the police informed us that they were ruling it as the cause of our 14-year-old son's death.

PM: Can you briefly tell us your story?

On January 22 we were ending up our 21-day Daniel fast, had a day in town, including lunch with my husband and a really nice dinner. After dinner everyone in the family just headed to hang out and do whatever it was they wanted. At 9 our youngest son, John, went in to take his shower. After a hour of hearing water run, our older son started banging on the bathroom door, telling him, he had been in there too long. When he got no response he got my husband and I, and my husband kicked in the door where we found our son hanging by his robe belt. For all intents and purposes, John was dead when we found him, however, the EMTs were able to get his heart beating and rushed him to the hospital where he was then med-flighted to Childrens Hospital. He had been without oxygen too long and died within 24 hours. Our world was turned upside down in one hour. One hour, the time of two 30 minute sitcoms, changed our world so drastically. The pain, the questions and the hurt is often beyond bearable, but God sees us through each day, each minute.

PM: What are some of the warning signs, parents or friends can watch for?

Marks on your child's neck, sullenness, lots of time alone (like in the restroom or in their room), belts, strings or ropes found hidden in odd places.

PM: What do the kids call the Game?

There are all kinds of names for this game. The Choking Game, The Passout Game, The Good Kid's Drug, Flatliner, Funky Chicken, The Fainting Game, 5 Minutes of Heaven; there are tons of names for the game.

PM: How can people find more information?

A really informative site, with lots of information and support groups is www.chokinggame.net

PM: Is there anything you would like to add?

Kids know about this game — parents do not. As adults we have to make sure we educate ourselves, and make sure our friends know about this, so we can all be aware of the things going on with our children. Don’t ever think your kids are exempt. We are a homeschooling family who didn’t get out much, and our boys didn’t have lots of friends outside of the homeschool group and youth group at church. This can affect anyone — even a pastor's family, as we have sadly found out.