Underage students seeking medical attention for alcohol poisoning may now do so without worrying about receiving alcohol possession charges, thanks to a bill signed into law by Oregon governor John Kitzhaber on March 3. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Margaret Doherty, passed unanimously through the Oregon Senate on Feb. 20.
The policy, known as medical amnesty or the “Good Samaritan” policy, has been long been a topic of discussion at the University of Oregon. In 2012, the ASUO, with support from the student group Students for Sensible Drug Policy, passed a resolution stating that if a minor is showing symptoms of alcohol poisoning, they or their friends should not hesitate to call 9-1-1.
In fall 2013, ASUO senator Chrissy Hardesty began working with Director of Substance Abuse Prevention Jennifer Summers to discuss how the policy could be implemented at the University.
Though the UO student code of conduct prohibits minors in possession of alcohol, its main goal is already to prioritize education about substance abuse over punishment. Nonetheless, Hardesty was pleased when the bill passed through the Oregon legislature and signed into law because the UO does not have an official medical amnesty policy.
“(Medical amnesty) is something the ASUO looked into all year,” Hardesty said. “We were beyond happy to see it taken on by Rep. Doherty.”
Oregon is the 18th state to adopt the medical amnesty policy. Supporters of the policy say that is a potentially life-saving one, as many minors avoid calling medical officials in alcohol-related emergencies because they are afraid of legal consequences. In 2006, Cornell University released a study that found that though 19 percent of undergraduates surveyed considered calling for help for an intoxicated friend, only four percent made the call.
Summers believes that the policy is important in preventing alcohol-related deaths of minors.
“I personally support anything that helps keep a student alive,” Summers said. “We don’t want a senseless death because of inaction.”
UO spokesperson Julie Brown said that the new law will not impact the way the UO deals with minors in possession of alcohol, as its focus is on prevention and education and not giving citations. Whether the law will affect the UO’s student code of conduct remains to be seen, according to Brown.
“It would be a longer term discussion,” Brown said. “Our student conduct code is based on university policies and input from students. It is not a typical process for it to change in response to a new law.”
University of Oregon Police Department’s public information officer Kelly McIver said that the UOPD already prioritizes educating students over giving them a citation.
Sam Chapman, a 2012 UO graduate and founder of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, said that the new law is an important step forward, though he argues that it should be extended to include drugs aside from alcohol.
“What passed on the state level is a huge step in the right direction,” Chapman said. “Not only for college students but for those across the state who find themselves in those situations.”
The policy’s implementation is only the first step, however. Both Chapman and Hardesty said that in order for the policy to be effective, educating students about their rights is crucial.
“It will have an impact as long as students are aware of the policy change,” Hardesty said. “It’s important that both the UO and the ASUO make a concerted effort to educate students on the change and the new rights they have.”
