Tag: good samaritan policy
College of Charleston SSDP Sparks Campus Medical Amnesty Expansion
Written by College of Charleston SSDP Vice President, Daniel Miles The story begins last year, during my freshman year at College of Charleston and my first few months as an “SSDP rockstar” (as my old chapter leader Lisa Diamond used to call me). She told me that there was this project I could work on that had been gathering dust
SSDP Hosts Successful Regional Conference in the Midwest!
Last weekend, SSDP students, alumni, and supporters gathered at Northwestern University in Illinois for SSDP’s 2014 Midwest Regional Conference! More than 60 students attended the conference for an exciting weekend of expert presentations, training, workshops, and networking events. The speaker panels and events that took place throughout the day were each designed to give students the tools needed to continue growing
Victory! University of South Florida Passes System-Wide 911 Good Samaritan Policy
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
Best Tips for Good Samaritans: How Two SSDP Chapters Successfully Advocated for Medical Amnesty Policies
Since 2005, SSDP has helped enact Good Samaritan policies at more than 240 colleges and universities across the United States. These measures for medical amnesty foster a safe environment, on-campus and off, enabling students to seek help for emergencies without hesitation or fear of severe punishment. But despite their proven effectiveness, Good Samaritan policies are still met with caution and
Roosevelt University SSDP Successfully Enacts Campus Good Samaritan Policy
Written By: Vilamarie Narloch, Co-President of Roosevelt University SSDP Last week, I received an e-mail which included the sweet, sweet phrase that many of us SSDPers work long and hard to see, “After careful and detailed consideration, I am happy to say we will be adopting the Good Samaritan Protocol and it will be in place for this coming academic
Announcing the Campus Drug Policy Gradebook
SSDP is proud to present its Campus Drug Policy Gradebook! SSDP analyzed the drug and alcohol policies of the top 300 U.S. schools according to Forbes Magazine. From this analysis, SSDP created the Gradebook, a resource which provides both a grade for each school and recommendations for improvement. How Schools Are Graded Campus drug policies were evaluated according to several
After 6 years, University of Maryland finally approves Good Samaritan policy for all drugs
Yesterday, I returned to the University of Maryland, my alma mater, to attend a University Senate (the governing body comprised of 90% faculty and staff, and 10% students) meeting where members voted 81-2-1 in favor of an important life-saving overdose prevention policy. The Diamondback reports: After proposing a measure nearly six years ago that would protect dangerously drunk students or
Top 12 SSDP highlights of 2012
1. Making history in Colorado and Washington. Election Day this year marked the beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition as Colorado (55%-45% on Amendment 64) and Washington (56%-44% on Initiative 502) voters said yes to legalizing marijuana! Through our online phonebanking tool, SSDPers from across the country made 17,882 calls to Colorado voters under the age of 30 to help turn out
SUNY New Paltz SSDP Helps Pass Call 911-Good Samaritan Policy
By: SUNY New Paltz SSDP Administrators at the State University of New York at New Paltz have agreed to include in the new 2012-2013 Student Handbook a Good Samaritan Policy, which seeks to protect students from disciplinary action for underage drinking or drug possession when calling for help in a medical emergency. New Paltz SSDP worked to enact this policy during the 2011-2012 school
Florida State University Implements 911 Good Samaritan Policy
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
911 Good Samaritan Legislation Making Progress in Colorado
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
Saving Lives in Florida
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
The Linn State SSDP Saga
As our chapter prepares for the first ever Students for Sensible Drug Policy event on our campus, I reflect on the cause of events that sparked our motivation. This semester, Linn State Technical College demanded that every incoming student submit to an unconstitutional drug test to remain a registered student. Along with student’s having their Fourth Amendment infringed upon, also
Help Save Lives in the Commonwealth
Take Action TODAY To Prevent Fatal Overdoses in Massachusetts An Act to Reduce Opiod Overdose Deaths (S907) Sponsored by Senator Steven Tolman An Act Relating to Controlled Substances and Medical Treatment (H2256) Sponsored by Representative Alice Peisch An Act Providing Limited Immunity from Prosecution for a Person Who Seeks to Obtain Medical Assistance for a Drug Related Overdose (H1303) Sponsored by Representative William Galvin
Action Alert: Overdoses in NY
Here in New York, we’ve been hard at work trying to pass an Good Samaritan (or Medical Amnesty) bill that would protect individuals from criminal prosecution when calling 911 in an alcohol or other drug related medical emergency. This life-saving overdose prevention bill passed through the State Assembly last week and now we only have a few days left of the legislative
Outstanding Alum Award: Victor Pinho
Victor became involved with drug policy when he founded the University of Maryland chapter of NORML in 2005. There he teamed up with the campus chapter of SSDP and established a reputation of solid membership, leadership, and political credibility within the drug policy reform efforts at UMD. As an alum, he continued to stay involved. After graduating in 2006 and
Outstanding Student Activist Award: Katharine Celentano
Earlier this month over 400 people gathered at our 2011 Training Conference and Lobby Day, and to wrap things up on the last day, SSDP recognized the achievements of several extraordinary student and non-student members during the Awards Ceremony and Benefit Concert. In the coming weeks, keep an eye out as we will write one blog post for each award recipient
UMD SSDP helps pass Good Samaritan Policy
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
Drew Stromberg, Chapter Leader of the Week
Basics: Drew Stromberg Founder and President West Virginia University SSDP SSDP: When did you 1st get involved with SSDP? Drew: I got involved during in the summer of 2009 when a friend of mine told me I should start a chapter at WVU. SSDP: What issues are important for your chapter? Drew: Good Samaritan Policy – We started working on
