TOXIC ALCOHOL POISONING from binge drinking kills 1,825 college students each year, estimates the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. When top Northwestern U. student Matt Sunshine became a statistic two years ago, his bereaved mother acted to save lives with a special program alerting fellow students to the dangers of binge drinking.

DEPAUL U. HAS ALSO IMPLEMENTED the Red Watch Bank Program that was birthed when Matthew died. It includes a four-hour training session for participants to learn how to recognize alcohol emergencies and how to respond effectively. Attorney Robert Clifford represented Sunshine’s family in the $2 million settlement with Northwestern, and recommended that his alma mater DePaul participate in the program.

EVERY COLLEGE IN THE COUNTRY should have such an anti-binge drinking plan because so many young people, innocent and non-drinkers, find themselves thrown into an environment of beer and wine and booze parties where participation is both expected and encouraged, with no thought of possible lethal consequences.

THE RED WATCH PLAN’S MISSION is to provide campus community members with greater knowledge, awareness and skills to prevent student toxic drinking deaths and to promote a culture of kindness, responsibility, compassion and respect.

THEIR GOAL: NO BULLYING AND NO DRINKING GAMES where large amounts of booze are offered to students are goals. And if a student does drink too much, becoming aware of the danger signs of potential illness or death must be common knowledge to all.

NO ONE IS CAPABLE OF STOPPING college kids from drinking, but everyone should be aware of the dangers they face. We should not lose 1,825 healthy, intelligent young men and women each year as they are embarking on their quest for knowledge and a promising future. We shouldn’t have those memorial services, and the saddened, regretful fellow students who could have saved lives but didn’t.

WHO IS THE TROPHY WIFE, who said she married for love but once hubby lost his millions just couldn’t cope with life in the ’burbs and the lack of unlimited plastic-provided playthings? She filed for divorce, telling him he wasn’t her soul mate. But when the dollars were plentiful, he was perfect.

THE YOUNG LAW STUDENT WHO JUMPED from his 10th floor bathroom window at 40 E. Oak St. was a top achiever and has left his family devastated. Shoppers at the Mac salon saw him plunge to his death.

ALL HAIL SAM ZELL, RICHEST MAN IN TOWN with $4.7 billion in his mattress. Oprah is second with $2.7 billion, and Lester Crown didn’t make this year’s Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans because he passed out millions to family members. A passel of Pritzkers (Jay Robert, Thomas, Penny, James, Jean and Nicholas) made the cut. Ty Warner, Ken Griffin and William Wrigley were all on the list too, with more than $2 billion each. Neil Bluhm, whose new Casino is hot, hot, hot, has $2 billion and counting. Also at $2 billion are J. Christopher Reyes and Jude Reyes. Joseph Mansueto, Michael Krasny and insurance tycoon Patrick Ryan all have over $1 billion. Brother, can you spare a dime? These dudes can.

WHERE DO BIG TIME CHEATERS prefer to have their assignations? Paris, that romantic city, is first choice, reports a survey of 950 men from 30 to 55 in fixed relationships and making at least $70,000 a year. Extracurricular sex locations for globe-trotters next favored Milan, Barcelona, Brussels, London, Geneva and Berlin. Berlin?

WE ARE PAMPERED WITH GREAT FOOD and six of our finest chefs will vie on TV in Top Chef when it premieres Nov. 2. They include Moto’s Chris Jones and Richie Farina, Aria’s Beverly Kim, Sable’s Heather Terhune, Spiaggia’s Sarah Grueneberg and Chilam Balam’s Chuy Valencia.

GIRL AND THE GOAT CHEF SENSATION Stephanie Izard has a new cookbook out this week, called Girl in the Kitchen, $29.95, and she will travel to several cities to introduce her vision and her recipes.

JERRY REINSDORF isn’t just interested in sports. With his artist wife, Martyl, he supported innovative, inspirational coloring books that she created as “Grandma Martyl” that cheered and delighted 30,000 sick kids all over the world. Talented Martyl, who designed cloisonne jewelry based on oriental and biblical themes, also created championship rings for the Bulls and the White Sox. The Reinsdorfs also help people with low vision and Martyl received the Torch of Learning Award from American Friends of Hebrew University at ceremonies at the Hilton. Bill Marovitz and I. Steven Edelson were dinner chairs. Supporters include the Malkin, Crown and Goodman families, the Michael Freeds, William Flemming, Lee Hillman, Mary Oppenheim, Thomas Neri, Wirtz Corp., Beth McCoy, David Husman, Mel Katten, Biff Ruttenberg, Lois Zollar and Robert Werthheimer.

WISH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Douglas, Will Smith, Naomi Watts and Julie Andrews.

A MAGNIFICENT ACTRESS and a woman-and-a-half, queen-sized Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy and is a delightful comic in the TV series Mike & Molly on Monday nights. The show is witty and tender but while watching her and “Mike” we expect each to have a heart attack because they are so huge and unhealthy looking. And when we see them in bed we cannot help but think of rhinos mating. So hate us, but can’t they go on The Biggest Loser, or on a diet, a treadmill, a fat farm, or do something to save their threatened lives?

WE TOLD YOU SO… Air shows can be deadly. The toll is now 11 dead from the crash at the Reno, Nev. air race where a World War II fighter plane crashed into the grandstand.

SORRY TO REPORT that actor John O’Hurley, the popular “Peterman” of Seinfeld, will not be here Oct. 10 to accept the Sarah Siddons Society award at a Ritz black tie. He has a conflicting date so the Society will combine its annual meeting with a gala Nov. 15 and honor singer E. Fay Butler. Chairs are Donna Atwater and Greta Flory.

MITCHELL’S CLOSING AFTER 20 YEARS at 1953 N. Clybourn Ave. is a bummer for the neighborhood. It was always crowded with families, singles and couples who made it one of the most popular eateries in the area. The rent was too high, we heard, and the operators didn’t want to raise prices.

LYRIC OPERA CELEBS like maestro Riccardo Muti and retired maestro Bruno Bartoletti were spotted dining at Coco Pazzo. Also there savoring the Italian dishes was general director Anthony Freud.

ACTOR JIM MALLON’S talented daughter Tracy Mallon, who has a jewelry store in Andersonville’s Galleria, was thrilled when actress Jennifer Connelly wore a pair of her unique earrings in the movie The Dilemma.

THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD ESTATE where President Obama and family vacationed is on the market for $23 million. It includes two homes, 28 acres and a mini golf course.

“SOUTH DAKOTA MOVES TO LEGALIZE KILLING ABORTION PROVIDERS” warns Terry Cosgrove of Personal PAC. A bill was introduced that stated homicide is justified if anyone harms an unborn child. The climate is dangerous for women who seek help, with humiliating counseling, forced ultrasounds and denial of coverage by insurance plans. Actress Mia Farrow will headline the Nov. 17 luncheon for Personal PAC at the Hilton. PP is devoted to electing pro-choice candidates.

THE CHIC SIDE OF NEW YORK will be revealed Oct. 18 by author and Elle Decor editor Jamee Gregory when she headlines the annual Handbags & Halos luncheon at the Empire Room of the Palmer House to benefit the Howard Brown Health Center. Jamee is co-author of New York Apartments: Private Views and New York Parties: Private Views. Bunky Cushing hosts the event.

LAWYER LINDA KUCZMA has a new position as administrative trademark judge at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark office in Alexandria, Va. … MEGAN KASZUBINSKI FERRARO, corporate counsel for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, received the Rising Star Award from the First Chair legal organization.

THE GLAMOR OF FABLED CLUB EL MOROCCO will be recreated for the Service Club’s Nov. 4 black tie benefit at the Four Seasons, chaired by Toni Canada, Laurie Davis and Dusty Stemer. Shelley MacArthur Farley will sing and Jim Karas will be the celeb auctioneer. Author Sherrill Bodine heads the group marking its 121st gala.

A GREAT NIGHT FOR CABARET is the 13th annual gala Oct. 16 at Park West with Cabaret Professional hosts Joan Curto and Denise McGowan. Honorees are Ann Hampton Callaway and Jimmy Damon and featured are talents including Beckie Menzie, Elaine Dame, Elizabeth Doyle, Nan Mason, Shelley MacArthur, Denise Tomasello, Kevin Bishop, Laura Freeman, Carla Gordon, Nick Sula and Tom Michael.

JACK WETZEL, DR. LISA HANDY AND PETE FROMER were co-chairs of a successful Equine Ambulance benefit, a BBQ garden party at the 1883 Buckhalter House in Aiken, S.C. Supporters included Bruce Duchossois, Charlie Bostwick and Lucy Knowles.

WHO WAS THE LOVING WIFE of 12 years, dumped by her husband for a younger model, who got the ultimate revenge? She married one of the richest men in town.

WOULD A SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI, A LONDON HOLIDAY, a Turkish bazaar, or the chills of Antarctica turn you on? Then come and bid on trips at the exciting live auction at the Oct. 21 black tie Conservation Ball hosted by Friends of Conservation leaders Reute Butler and founder Jorie Butler Kent at the Fairmont. Honorary co-chairs are Tara and Charles Wegner, whose mother, Joan Wegner, is a major benefactor. Reute is event chair with Rachael Phillippe, Holly Rothschild, Wendy Sherman, Jessica Swift, Michael Butler, John and Jutta Kay, Geoffrey Kent, the Fred Krehbiels and Stephanie Powers. It is a night of dining, dancing, helping nature to thrive and cultures to flourish. Tickets are $350. Call 630-288-2714.

FRIENDS ARE SADDENED to hear that the Yale Sages have divorced.

KIDS GET TO PARTY, TOO, at the Kohl Children’s Museum benefit Oct. 15 marking 25 years of growth. Tracy and Fritz Souder are chairs of this family celebration.

WEST WING CREATOR Aaron Sorkin is writing 10 episodes of a new TV series for HBO about a news anchor at a cable station. It may be titled More As This Story Develops.

“MARRIAGE IS INSURANCE FOR THE WORST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE. DURING YOUR BEST YEARS, YOU DONT NEED A HUSBAND.” —HELEN GURLEY BROWN, COSMO PUBLISHER

CONTACT: annbgerber@gmail.com or 847-677-2232