The health, safety and well-being of students are key to the mission of the College. The need to provide immediate medical care to a student who may be suffering from the effects of overconsumption of alcohol or the misuse of drugs is a priority. For this reason, the College has adopted Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan guidelines. 

Signs and Symptoms

Alcohol or drug overdose can be fatal. If someone has consumed too much alcohol or is having a drug overdose, seek medical care immediately.  Call 911

Look for:

• Lethargy or Unresponsiveness – you are unable to awake a person with loud shouting or shaking; the person is unable to remain conscious or stay awake; vomiting continuously or while passed out; incoherent.
• Breathing problems – slow or irregular breathing; stops breathing; weak pulse; making gurgling sounds.
• Poor color – skin is pale, bluish; clammy or cold.
• Confusion; Odd behavior – the person is unsure what is happening; unusual or erratic behavior; threating self-harm.

Role of a Good Samaritan

Seeking help for another person in need due to over consumption of alcohol or a drug overdose is your ethical responsibility. This is true even if you have been consuming alcohol or drugs illegally yourself. The purpose of the Good Samaritan program is to ensure that a student who has consumed too much alcohol, or is having a drug overdose get the necessary medical care they require.

You should:

• Seek medical care immediately.  Call 911
• Turn the person on their side if they begin to vomit. Avoid giving them anything to eat or drink.
• Stay with the person until help arrives to ensure that he or she is safe and does not leave before getting the needed medical attention. Medical or police personnel may also need additional information to give your fellow student the best possible care.  

Good Samaritan

When medical care is sought for a student, by another student, due to the overconsumption of alcohol or misuse of drugs, the reporting student will not face student conduct nor criminal charges, even if they have consumed alcohol or drugs.*

Medical Amnesty

When medical care is sought for a student due to overconsumption of alcohol or a drug overdose, even if the affected student calls for themselves, the student will not face student conduct nor criminal charges.*

*Education programs may be assigned to prevent future over consumption of alcohol or a drug overdose.