UMD weighs amnesty in alcohol emergencies

UMD weighs amnesty for underage students reporting drinking-related medical emergencies.

Last update: March 1, 2009 - 7:33 PM

The University of Minnesota Duluth is considering a new policy to encourage students to report drinking-related medical emergencies by protecting them from legal ramifications.

Since the current school year began, nine students and four visitors at the school have been drunk enough to require emergency hospital visits. All but one were under age 21. School officials believe many more such cases go unreported and untreated.

School officials say they want to encourage students to seek help in such situations. Under the amnesty proposal, students who call on an authority figure if friends exhibit signs of alcohol poisoning would not face a legal punishment for drinking, and neither would the afflicted students.

The ill student could still be ordered to take a chemical dependency evaluation, and those who called may be subject to education or counseling sessions.

ASSOCIATED PRESS