The University of South Florida (USF) recently passed a Medical Amnesty/911 Good Samaritan Policy, which protects people from prosecution for simple possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia when calling for medical help during a drug-related emergency. The policy, enacted roughly one year after the state of Florida’s statewide 911 Good Samaritan Law took effect, was announced by Dean of Students Michael Freeman on
On Friday, December 7, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray signed the Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Amendment Act of 2012 (#B19-754). The legislation provides limited legal protection for those who witness or experience a drug overdose and summon medical assistance. The legislation now goes before the United States Congress for review, as required by federal law. A coalition comprised
Our chapter at Florida State University has been working with their administration for years in efforts to implement a 911 Good Samaritan Policy on their campus and their hard work has finally paid off. Florida State University has just announced their new Medical Amnesty Policy, which takes effect this school year. From Florida State University’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Manual: Medical Amnesty
Colorado SB 20 (full text), which authorizes Legal Immunity to Drug Overdose Reporters, is on its way to Governor John Hickenlooper’s desk right now! The bill will provide immunity for the victim and up to two callers in incidences emergencies involving drugs and/or alcohol. This is a huge step forward not only for Colorado, but for sensible drug policy in
On April 6th, 2012, Governor Rick Scott signed Florida’s 911 Good Samaritan Act (SB 278). Although the law won’t technically take effect until October 1st, Florida is now the 13th state to enact some form of Good Samaritan legislation. More specifically, Florida is now the 6th state to extend immunity to possession of controlled substances (joining NM, WA, CT, NY, and IL) and
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 21, 2011 Contact: Evan Nison, President, Ithaca College SSDP, 607-216-8096 Stacia Cosner, Associate Director, SSDP National, 410-299-3433 Albany, NY – Yesterday, July 20th, Governor Cuomo signed into law a statewide 911 Good Samaritan Policy. The purpose of the law is to encourage a witness or victim of an alcohol or other drug related medical emergency to call 911 to
Four years ago, as a sophomore at the University of Maryland (and at the time President of the UMD SSDP chapter), I was elected to the University Senate, the most powerful policy making body on campus, comprised of 90% faculty, and 10% students. In an effort to place myself in a position to influence campus drug policy, I sought and received