Campus Change: Two More Chapters Enact Good Samaritan Policies

Until recently, students at the University of Georgia had to weigh whether or not to call for help during substance related emergencies, often hesitating out of fear of facing punitive consequences. But thanks to the efforts of the UGA SSDP chapter, the school has enacted a lifesaving Good Samaritan Policy that shields students from punishment when they call for medical assistance during an alcohol or other drug related emergency, thus removing barriers to saving lives.

Good Samaritan Policies, which are sometimes called “medical amnesty policies,” have been saving lives at the more than 60 colleges that have adopted them. And with the help of SSDP chapters, the practice is a growing trend. However, regardless of the seeming sensibility of the policy, some chapters are still running into some resistance from their administrations.

The College of William & Mary SSDP chapter was instrumental in recently enacting a Good Samaritan Policy that applies to alcohol related emergencies, but not those related to other drugs. Although the policy is not as broad as the one enacted at UGA, it was a compromise that the chapter had to make in order for the policy to pass.

William & Mary’s alcohol-only policy is typical of half of the 60+ schools that SSDP has identified as having effective Good Samaritan Policies. While SSDP prefers that policies cover emergencies related to all drugs (William & Mary SSDP is working to expand their current policy), we recognize that any policies that can save lives are worth endorsing.

Two other chapters are very close to enacting Good Samaritan Policies on their campuses, but are still working with student governments and administrators to find language suitable to all parties. The University of Central Florida is awaiting final approval from the school’s administration, which once passed, will cover students for emergencies related to all drugs. Christina Kimball, president of the SSDP chapter, has been in close contact with administrators on this issue, and said, “it’s looking very favorable.”

Daniel Cornelious, SSDP chapter president at the University of Connecticut, is a member of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Committee at UConn. He has drafted Good Samaritan language that was recently approved by a subcommittee and is awaiting approval by the full committee. Cornelious is optimistic that the language will be approved, but he isn’t letting his guard down. “The battle is almost won,” he declared, “but it’s not over yet!”

To find out more about Good Samaritan Policies, visit http://www.ssdp.org/campaigns/ccc/goodsamaritan/

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