The
following next steps outline the process after medical help is provided to
students in need of medical attention as a result of alcohol and/or drug use:
- The situation is first evaluated by the Student
Conduct Office to determine if the Medical Amnesty Program applies.
- The student will meet with a conduct hearing officer
for an informational meeting about the program.
- If the situation qualifies, students are required to
meet with a staff member at the Health Promotion office.
- The staff member, after evaluating the situation, may
also refer the student to other available resources. Students who are referred
but fail to meet and complete the recommendations in their entirety may be
subject to additional requirements after an opportunity to meet with a staff
member from the Student Conduct Office.
Will
my parents find out?
Possibly,
but not necessarily. If a registered student is transported to an emergency
medical treatment center for alcohol or drug use, the student’s parents or
guardians may be notified by the Office of the Vice President or Student and
International Affairs or by the University Police Department if deemed
necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
Does the Medical Amnesty Program protect students from police
or legal actions?
No. The Medical Amnesty Program only applies to the UNF
Student Conduct Code and Housing and Residence Life Community Standards. It
does not prevent or preclude police or other legal actions.
Will
incidents involving the Medical Amnesty Program be on my academic record?
No.
Medical Amnesty Program incidents will not be entered on the student’s official
academic record.
Does
the Medical Amnesty Program cover student groups and organizations?
If a
representative of a UNF student organization hosting an event calls for medical
assistance, this act of responsibility might mitigate potential Student Conduct
Code consequences, i.e., the fact that an organization sought help will be
favorably considered in potential sanctioning for university policy violations
and/or FIPG Risk Management Policy violations. UNF student organizations
involved in an incident must agree to take recommended steps to address
concerns. In appropriate situations as determined in the conduct process,
mitigation could result in the requirement of participation in an educational
program or educational activities rather than other disciplinary consequences.
What
does the Medical Amnesty Program apply to?
The
Medical Amnesty Program applies to the following situations:
- UNF students who
initiate and seek assistance and/or medical treatment on behalf of him- or
her-self, another student, or a friend experiencing an alcohol and/or other
drug related emergency.
- UNF students’ use
of alcohol or drugs where medical attention is needed.
- UNF students who
are a victim of sexual assault and have also engaged in underage alcohol
consumption.
What
does the Medical Amnesty Program NOT apply to?
Other
prohibited behavior as outlined in the UNF Student Conduct Code.
Is
there a limit to the number of times the Medical Amnesty Program can be used?
No.
Students are always encouraged to look after their friends and peers, and are
encouraged to take responsible actions anytime they are necessary. However, if
a student is involv
ed in repeat alcohol and/or drug abuse incidents, the
following will occur:
- The situation will be evaluated by the Student Conduct
Office to determine if the student qualifies for medical amnesty.
- The availability of medical amnesty for students with
repetitive violations will be determined on a case by case basis.
- Situations will be handled through the regular conduct
process and will be considered for sanctioning purposes if a student does not
demonstrate a commitment to the recommended steps and is involved in repetitive
alcohol and/or drug abuse incidents.
- For students who reside in on campus housing, the
Department of Housing and Residence Life will determine the impact the
incident(s) has on their housing contract, if any.
What
other institutions have implemented a similar Program?
Several
universities have created and implemented either a Medical Amnesty Policy or a
Good Samaritan Policy. These institutions include but are not limited to:
University of Florida, Ohio University, Cornell University, University of
Toledo, University of Pennsylvania, Emory University, Tulane University,
Clemson University, Rollins College, North Western University, University of
Georgia, University of Kansas, Ohio State University, University of Texas at
Austin, and University of Virginia.
What
is alcohol poisoning?
Alcohol
poisoning is another term for an alcohol overdose, which may occur when
individuals consume so much alcohol that their bodies can no longer process it
fast enough. Alcohol poisoning and overdoses are potentially lethal; the human
body simply cannot tolerate or process excessive amounts of alcohol. Too many
college students have died as a result of alcohol poisoning.
What
are the signs or symptoms of alcohol poisoning or overdose?
The
signs or symptoms of alcohol poisoning include (not all of these needs to be
present):
- Confusion
or stupor
- Vomiting
while passed out, not waking up after vomiting, or incoherent while vomiting
- Seizures
- Breathing
is slow (less than 8 breaths per minute) or irregular, with 10 seconds or more
between breaths
- Weak
pulse, very rapid pulse, or very slow pulse -Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
- Loss
of consciousness: Inability to awaken a person with loud shouting, or inability
of a person to remain awake for more than 2-3 minutes or to carry on a coherent
conversation when awake (semi-conscious)
*A
person who has lost consciousness and cannot be awakened is in danger of dying.
Help is needed immediately.
How
do I help a friend who might be experiencing alcohol poisoning or overdose?
- Call
911. Then (if you are in the residence halls) call or send someone else to
notify your RA on duty, but don’t leave the person alone.
- Stay
with the person until emergency help arrives.
- Be
prepared to give the emergency medical personnel as much information as
possible including the amount and type of alcohol or substances consumed.
What
should I NOT do when helping someone experiencing alcohol poisoning or
overdose?
- DO
NOT: Hesitate to call 911. The person’s life is in
danger. Better to be safe than sorry.DO
NOT: Leave the person alone. The person may seem to be
okay, but the alcohol ingested may take some time to be absorbed before peak
levels are reached in the brain.
- DO
NOT: Try to give the person anything to eat or drink. The
stomach is severely irritated and cannot handle anything else.
- DO
NOT: Put the person in a cold shower. The person could
fall or the shock could make him/her pass out.
- DO
NOT: Just let him/her “sleep it off.”
