DENVER -- The parents of a Colorado State University student found dead after a night of binge drinking are determined to make something positive out of their daughter's death and prevent similar tragedies.

Samantha Spady parents told ABC's "Good Morning America" that the new drinks that are being created make it easier for people to consume more alcohol than they're used to.

"That wasn't my daughter. I think part of the problem is that if poison was made to taste like gasoline, kids won't drink that much. I think part of the problem is it's become flavored with vanilla so it tastes like candy and I think that's where there is a lot of risk," said Patty Spady, Samantha's mother.

Rick Spady said that he had talked to his daughter about the legal consequences of alcohol but never warned her that it could result in death.

"I don't think she understood drinking could kill you," Rick Spady said.

"I don't think the education has been strong enough in that area. I think we've stuck with the education on the consequences concerning the law, but I don't think we've educated students enough about the dangers of too much drinking," said Patty Spady.

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Investigators Detail Final Hours Of Spady Timeline Of Spady's Final Hours

Samantha Spady died with a blood alcohol level of .436 percent -- five times the legal limit for driving in Colorado. Her body was found Sept. 5 in the Sigma Pi fraternity house. An autopsy determined that the 19-year-old sophomore had consumed 30 to 40 beers and vodka shots within an 11-hour period.

Her friends and family say she was the most unlikely person to go on a binge drink. In high school, she was senior class president, an honor student, homecoming queen, head cheerleader and mentor for the DARE program, a program that counsels students about the dangers of drugs.

"Samantha was the girl next door. She was anybody's friend. And this can happen to anybody," said Patty Spady.

"There was an interesting story, which we didn't realize the scope, but a woman sent us an e-mail saying that her son was sent into detoxification that same night and she thought it possibly saved his life, this was the same night Samantha died," said Rick Spady.

The same day that Spady's autopsy was released the body of another college student was discovered in a fraternity house near the University of Colorado campus. Authorities believe Lynn Gordon Bailey's death is related to alcohol, but toxicology tests will be needed to determine his exact cause of death.

A 911 call from the Chi Psi house suggests that Bailey drank too much and had passed out the day before, when the fraternity was hosting a party to celebrate the incoming pledges.

Spady's parents have set up the SAM Spady Foundation to address binge drinking on college campuses, with SAM standing for Student Alcohol Management. The Spady family wants to create an effective peer-to-peer alcohol awareness program that can become part of new student orientations at colleges and universities in the United States.

"I think that's why we're determined to make a difference because Sam was determined to make a difference in her life and we don't want other parents to suffer this tragedy," Patty Spady said. "I think, just like the designated driver program has taken over in the country, I think kids need to No. 1, stay sober, and then protect their friends. Make sure they're not overdrinking. Get them the help they need."

A recent report says there are 1,400 campus deaths and 500,000 injuries a year as a result of binge drinking.

The University of Colorado Board of Regents will meet Wednesday to hear what CU is doing about drinking on campus after the deaths of Spady and Bailey.

A recent study found that almost 60 percent of CU students engage in binge drinking, which is higher than the national average of 44 percent. The study also found that there are 60 bars and nightclubs within one mile of the center of Boulder's campus and more than than 200 liquor stores in the town of 100,000.

College drinking has long been a part of the college life, but CU's expert on the issue said the drinking now is more dangerous.

"Students today, and this seems to be different then in the past, say the purpose of drinking is to get drunk. That is what they tell us, so they know what the drug can do," said Dr. Robert Maust, chairman of the Commitee of Substance Abuse.

In the wake of the football recruiting scandal, which has also been linked to alcohol, CU now requires all incoming freshman to take and pass an online class about alcohol abuse. The school has also adopted a two strikes and you're out policy for students who violate the campus alcohol policy.

More Information:

Learn more about the SAM Spady Foundation at SamSpadyFoundation.org.
Donations may be mailed to:
SAM Spady Foundation
P.O. Box 701
Beatrice NE 68310-0701