Correction appended
After hearing from the Students for Sensible Drug Policy at last week’s ASUO senate meeting, the ASUO decided to table a resolution that would call on the University to modify its current policies about drugs and alcohol on campus. The SSDP, a group with the goal of liberalizing drug policies, brought up the issue of a “Good Samaritan Policy,” which would protect students from campus sanctions relating to violations of drug and alcohol policy when they call emergency services for a drug or alcohol-related emergency. SSDP is expected to return with a different resolution in the future.
It is a resolution that needs to beseriously considered.
Good Samaritan Policies, or “Medical Amnesty Policies,” have been enacted in various forms at almost 100 universities and colleges across the nation. According to the SSDP, these policies help to prevent hesitation when deciding to call emergency services for drug and alcohol-related emergencies.
Some ASUO members were concerned that the policy may be abused. Cornell University reported that after implementing a similar policy in 2004, the number of calls for alcohol-related emergencies doubled, while alcohol use remained about the same. 
According to Birmingham-Southern College, each year in the U.S. it is estimated that there are more than 1,400 alcohol-related fatalities among college students between the ages of 18 and 24, 300 of whom die each year due to alcohol poisoning. USA Today reported that nearly 23 percent of the 5.4 million U.S. college students in 2007 met the medical definitions of substance abuse or dependence — higher than the general public. It also found that rates of abused painkillers and illegal drugs were on the rise. Additionally, 83 percent of campus arrests involved alcohol — which may be a contributing factor to fears about receiving help in drug and alcohol-related emergencies.
The college students who are going to use drugs are going to use drugs. The students who are going to drink under age will find a way. The students who are going to binge drink (defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having more than five drinks for a male and four drinks for a female in a two-hour period) are going to continue binge drinking. If they can’t be convinced to abstain through a zero-tolerance policy or University programs, then the University should do all in its power to protect the health and safety of students by enacting a Good Samaritan Policy.
According to the University Housing Contract, group events where alcohol is being consumed are prohibited. Illegal use of controlled substances on University owned or controlled property is prohibited. Possessing, consuming, or providing alcohol to others in public areas is prohibited. Detectable intoxication by residents within residence halls is prohibited. These are just a few of the policies in place, which may cause a student to think twice about calling for help.
Students going through the University process after violating school drug and alcohol policy may face local, state, and federal consequences. They may also have to attend drug and alcohol education classes, write reflection papers, attend clinical interviews, lose privileges, receive conduct reprimands, pay restitution for damages and serve community service. Students convicted of alcohol or drug distribution or possession may face Title IV financial aid suspension or termination.
If a student has abused a substance and is in need, other students should not be afraid to call emergency services for fear of violating policy. A Good Samaritan policy will grant immunity for students who are willing to do the right thing by putting the health of another student first. The health and safety of all University students should be a priority. Thinking twice is not acceptable in this case.
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