No drugs found at party where many got sick

ROSLYN, Wash. – Police say they will begin coordinating interviews with dozens of Central Washington University students who attended a drunken house party in Roslyn where drinks were apparently spiked, sending 12 young people to the hospital.

All 12 have since been released, a nursing supervisor at a hospital in Ellensburg said Sunday.

Eleven of them were women.

Cle Elum police Chief Scott Ferguson said it was disturbing that people at the party didn’t call authorities to report there were unconscious victims there.

“I hate to think what could have happened had we waited longer,” he said, calling the incident “absolutely unprecedented” in the Roslyn area.

Central President James Gaudino said the university would begin a lengthy process to sanction any students who were involved.

“It’s certainly our sense that this is an isolated event,” he said.

Despite the size of the party – about 50 people were said to be present – neighbors apparently saw and heard nothing that caused them to call the authorities.

Police found no drugs at the home after a four-hour search, and investigators are still looking into what substance may have sickened the 12 and who may have been responsible.

“Some type of drug was slipped into drinks,” Ferguson said. “We were talking to people who were highly intoxicated, yet admitted to having only consumed a couple of beverages.”