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Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan Policies
Throughout the United States, colleges, universities, local communities and some states are adopting laws and policies that are designed to remove barriers for students who need to seek medical attention for impaired friends or for themselves in alcohol or drug related emergencies. Under "Medical Amnesty" and/or "Good Samaritan" policies, students are potentially exempted from punitive action if they call for medical assistance, which will help save lives by eliminating anxiety about potential penalties for consuming alcohol illegally.
The goal is to prevent senseless death as a result of inaction. The Gordie Foundation is committed to supporting the adoption of these policies nationwide.
We have provided links to a few "Sample Policies," which may be accessed through the link above-right.
The Facts
Q: What is Medical Amnesty?
A: Exemption from punishment for an intoxicated or impaired underage student if medical assistance is called to help him or her in an emergency situation. Instead of a harsher penalty for underage drinking or drug use, a student usually receives some sort of counseling by a professional following an incident to help identify if the student has a more serious alcohol or drug problem and to provide the student with suggestions on how to stay safe in the future.
Q: What is a Good Samaritan policy?
A: Exemption from punishment for an intoxicated or impaired underage student who calls for emergency assistance for another student who is dangerously intoxicated. Although not necessarily in danger of alcohol poisoning him or herself, those who intervene for a dangerously intoxicated student may also be subject to a psychological evaluation for drug and/or alcohol use following an incident.
Q: Who can implement these policies?
A: Colleges and universities, local communities, as well as state governments and the federal government. To date, very few states have taken steps to enact Medical Amnesty or Good Samaritan laws, and no federal legislation has been introduced to this effect.
Q: Do Medical Amnesty/Good Samaritan policies work?
A: A 2006 study conducted at Cornell University (Lewis & Marchell) revealed that one such medical amnesty policy dramatically increased the number of alcohol-related calls for assistance to emergency services, and that psycho-educational interventions following those calls more than doubled over a two-year period from 22% to 52%. Click here to access a PDF of the study.