Spring Break
Samaritan policy may present conflicts
Nathan Cohen
Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: News
The recent trend of universities adopting policies exonerating alcohol-poisoned students and their friends who call 911 have put administrators nationwide in a bind.
Statistics found by a Cornell University study show such policies increase the likelihood intoxicated students in danger will receive medical attention, and many top-tier universities across the country have adopted such measures in recent years. But administrators at many other universities have shied away from these kinds of policies, which they fear send mixed-messages about drug and alcohol use.
The University Senate's Student Conduct Committee is weighing the same debate. The senate, the university's most powerful policy-making body, will decide whether to institute a "Good Samaritan" policy here, which would reduce penalties for students who call ambulances for endangered friends.
The code of conduct punishes such students with penalties as steep as loss of on-campus housing. But universities across the country are letting them off scot-free, hoping to encourage them to call for help without worrying about the consequences.
Cornell University, a forerunner on the policy, instituted such a program five years ago. Since then, the number of students that have called emergency services to report alcohol poising has more than doubled to 155, said Deborah Lewis, Cornell's alcohol projects coordinator.
And for Lewis, that means the program has succeeded.
"That is exactly what the goal was," she said. "We think this is a big success because students are more likely to call police in alcohol situations."
The University of North Carolina is the only one of the university's five peer institutions considering such a policy, said Dean Blackburn, UNC's assistant dean of alcohol and drug intervention. Administrators there have exempted students who call ambulances for their intoxicated friends from university penalties for the last six years. The student who is hospitalized, however, would likely incur punishment, unlike at Cornell.
Statistics found by a Cornell University study show such policies increase the likelihood intoxicated students in danger will receive medical attention, and many top-tier universities across the country have adopted such measures in recent years. But administrators at many other universities have shied away from these kinds of policies, which they fear send mixed-messages about drug and alcohol use.
The University Senate's Student Conduct Committee is weighing the same debate. The senate, the university's most powerful policy-making body, will decide whether to institute a "Good Samaritan" policy here, which would reduce penalties for students who call ambulances for endangered friends.
The code of conduct punishes such students with penalties as steep as loss of on-campus housing. But universities across the country are letting them off scot-free, hoping to encourage them to call for help without worrying about the consequences.
Cornell University, a forerunner on the policy, instituted such a program five years ago. Since then, the number of students that have called emergency services to report alcohol poising has more than doubled to 155, said Deborah Lewis, Cornell's alcohol projects coordinator.
And for Lewis, that means the program has succeeded.
"That is exactly what the goal was," she said. "We think this is a big success because students are more likely to call police in alcohol situations."
The University of North Carolina is the only one of the university's five peer institutions considering such a policy, said Dean Blackburn, UNC's assistant dean of alcohol and drug intervention. Administrators there have exempted students who call ambulances for their intoxicated friends from university penalties for the last six years. The student who is hospitalized, however, would likely incur punishment, unlike at Cornell.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
nobody
posted 11/26/07 @ 11:13 AM EST
I don't undertand how this type of policy could possibly encourage underage drinking. As if anyone actually wants to get alcohol poisoning! It not like underage drinking could possibly increase from what it is now since close to 90% of the student body drinks regardless of age. (Continued…)
California Drug Rehab
posted 5/03/08 @ 6:16 PM EST
Today, underage drinking is a common thing. In my city, where I turn I see underage children drinking beer and sometimes real and strong alcohol. It make me sick to see this world going down from this alcohol addiction in some people. (Continued…)
subhash
posted 5/14/08 @ 2:04 AM EST
This is a comprehensive addiction portal focusing on topics of alcohol and drug abuse. http://www.alcoholaddiction.org
Rehabs
posted 12/21/08 @ 1:43 PM EST
You can't say that it "may". It definetely present conflicts. Those who came out with this idea should reconsider it again, because it isn't like the way they planned it. (Continued…)
iggs
posted 12/21/08 @ 8:54 PM EST
Nnyone who would let their friend die rather than get in trouble should kill themselves, that way I won't have the misfortune of thinking that they are actually my friend. (Continued…)
john
posted 4/02/09 @ 10:08 PM EST
Hi guys, intervention is a best way to overcome the drug addiction. So, please encourage your family members or friends to go on with intervention if they drug addicted. (Continued…)
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