The University of Massachusetts is sounding the alarm about a trend in TikTok consumption after nearly 30 college students were reportedly rushed to the hospital for off-campus parties ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.
Students were seen carrying pitchers of a mix of alcohol, electrolytes, flavorings, and water on Saturday, dubbed “blackout rage gallons” or “BORGs,” in a binge-drinking trend gaining traction on TikTok, authorities said.
Reports say 28 ambulances were called to off-campus parties. There have been so many alcohol poisoning ambulance calls from students that nearby agencies have stepped in to help, authorities said. The Amherst Fire Department said none of the cases were life-threatening. UMass officials said this is the first time the university has seen widespread use of BORG at off-campus parties.
Amherst Police and UMass Police reported two arrests for underage drinking, the Daily Hampshire Gazette reported. According to the newspaper, the hashtag #borg has garnered over 74.7 million views on TikTok. He has been present on the Chinese-owned social media platform since at least 2020.
Poison Control says the “BORG,” which is a closed container carried by individual students to parties, has been praised by some for preventing the spread of infectious disease and reducing alcohol consumption. Since the trend is to personalize the drink with electrolytes, some believe it reduces hangovers.
However, “BORGs,” which normally contain a fifth of vodka, can still cause alcohol poisoning even if consumed for several hours, experts warn.
In a statement, the university said the weekend’s events will be evaluated and steps will be taken to improve alcohol education. Incoming students already know the physiological and medical risks of excessive alcohol consumption.
The weekend festivities are known among UMass students as the “Blarney Blowout,” an unauthorized annual event tied to the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, local media reported.
