Help Save Lives at Syracuse University

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Author: devonjamesstewart

Started: 2 weeks ago

Target: The Syracuse University Community

Category: Civil & Human Rights

Supporters:

Goal:

10,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

Help save lives at Syracuse University!

The members of the Syracuse University Chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy have been communicating with the Administration, including the VP of Student Affairs Tom Wolfe; Judicial Affairs Director Pat McPeak, the Director of the Counseling Center and Options Program Cory Wallack, and even Chancellor Nancy Cantor in regards to implementing a Good Samaritan Policy at Syracuse University.

First of all, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, a "Good Samaritan Policy", or a "Medical Amnesty Policy" seeks to decrease the likelihood that a student will hesitate to seek help in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency by granting amnesty from punitive judicial policies to those involved in seeking help.

A Medical Amnesty Policy promotes safety and responsibility throughout the university community. The policy also promotes education/treatment for individuals who receive emergency medical attention to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences.

Individuals seeking medical treatment in an alcohol- or drug-related medical emergency would be granted amnesty from punitive university sanctions. Other non-punitive consequences, such as education or treatment, may be applied.

Medical Amnesty only applies to violations of University Code of Conduct. It does not grant amnesty for criminal, civil, or legal consequences for violations of federal, state or local law.

There are over 100 Colleges in this country with a clearly stated Good Samaritan Policy.

WHY HAS IT TAKEN SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS TO RESPOND IN A SITUATION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES.

THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES PUBLISHED IN SCHOLARLY JOURNALS!

Len Bias was a first team All-American college basketball player who suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia that resulted from a cocaine overdose less than 48 hours after being selected second overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft. He died because his friends were too afraid to get help, in fear that they might face some sort of legal punishment.

Students need to be assured that their health and safety are two of the most important things to the people running this school.

HOW DO YOU FEEL KNOWING THAT IT HAS BEEN NEARLY 5 MONTHS SINCE WE FIRST STARTED TALKING TO THE SCHOOL ABOUT THIS!?!

Please, sign this petition if you think that Syracuse University should implement this policy, and that the administrators should act a little quicker when we are dealing with the health and safety of it's students.

Join Students for Sensible Drug Policy and make a stand for yourself. It's your life.