Drug Raid Brings Closure on Anniversary of Alpha Phi Sister's Death

Parents of Student Who Died Laud SDSU Efforts

By Patrick W. Connelly
Co-Editor, The Frat Boy News

A year after the sudden death of an Alpha Phi sister at San Diego State University, her parents say they finally have some closure to a very sad experience.

Nineteen-year-old Shirley Jennifer "Jenny" Poliakoff died May 6, 2007 - the day after attending a sorority formal. After her death, alcohol and cocaine were both found in her system, but she didn't die of an overdose, her parents Ray and Kim Poliakoff said.

A massive drug raid at the university came on the one-year anniversary of Jenny's death. A total of 96 people were arrested, among those including 75 students and 21 others including gang members with ties to Mexian drug cartels, police said.

An investigation into drug activity on the campus was launched by the university and federal Drug Enforcement Administration following Jenny's death, police said.

"If one kid gets saved, if ten kids get saved, then it's worth doing," Ray Poliakoff told The San Diego Union Tribune.

"We're happy about the fact that they chased after it," said Poliakoff, who thought it was frustrating at first the university hadn't done anything. "They could've chosen to turn away from it, to turn a blind eye to the whole thing."

Jenny's parents said they weren't aware of the advancements taken by the university and DEA until Tuesday's raid and arrests.

Since Jenny's death, her brother Nathan and sisters of Alpha Phi organized efforts to raise $104,000 for charity in her name.

















Posted May 8, 2008, by The Frat Boy News.