Medical Amnesty Policy

https://studentlife.northeastern.edu/open/

open@northeastern.edu

617-373-4459

In cases of a drug or alcohol emergency, the primary con­cern is the health and safety of the individual(s) involved. Students/organizations are strongly encouraged to call for medical assistance (617.373.3333) for themselves or for another student who they observe to be or feel is dangerously intoxicated/under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If a student/organization calls on behalf of another student, that student/organization is required to remain with the student experiencing the emergency until medical assistance arrives.

No student seeking medical assistance for an alcohol or other drug-related emergency will be subject to University disciplinary action for the violation of possession or con­sumption of alcohol or drugs. This policy shall extend to the referring student/organization who called for medical assistance.

The student requiring medical assistance (and possibly the referring student(s)/organization) will be required to contact the Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern within two weeks of written notification to schedule a meet­ing and follow-up plans. As long as the student/organi­zation complies with all directives, there will be no disci­plinary action taken related to the violation of possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs and no disciplinary record of the incident kept in the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

This policy applies only to those students or organizations who seek emergency medical assistance in connection with an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency and does not apply to individuals experiencing an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency who are found by University employees (e.g., Northeastern University police, faculty, administrative staff, or residence hall staff), or where the reporting student(s)/organization did not stay with them.

The Medical Amnesty Policy is not intended to shield or protect those students or organizations that repeatedly vio­late the Code of Student Conduct. In cases where repeated violations of the Code of Student Conduct occur, the University reserves the right to take disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis regardless of the manner in which the incident was reported.

Medical amnesty applies only to alcohol or other drug-related emergencies but does not apply to other conduct violations such as assault, property damage, or distribution of illicit substances. If other violations occur, then a student will face disciplinary charges for those violations. The use/or abuse of alcohol or drugs is never considered a mitigat­ing circumstance for any other violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

Medical amnesty applies only to the University response to a medical emergency. Criminal/ police action may still occur separately from the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

You can always contact OPEN with any questions at: open@neu.edu or 617-373-4459.