Medical Amnesty Policy
I think that if Wheaton adopts a M.A. Policy it would positively benefit the student body. Wheaton colleges alcohol policy states “The policy of the college is to help anyone seeking assistance with an alcohol or other drug problem. Anyone seeking assistance, advice or information may approach the Student Life staff, Public Safety Department, Counseling Services, Health Services, the Dean of Students Office or existing peer support groups without fear of disciplinary action by the college.” Yet it is considered an alcohol policy violation for “…being transported for excessive alcohol consumption…”, even when this is done at the request of the student or those nearby the student. Medical Amnesty policies seek to remove penalties that deal simply with personal consumption of substances when the intoxicated person seeks help themselves, and/or when others seek help for the intoxicated person. By doing this institutions hope to both “…seek to reduce barriers to seeking assistance” and “The Medical Amnesty Policy also promotes education for individuals who receive emergency medical attention…” [i] I am advocating the adoption of a Medical Amnesty Policy at Wheaton for the previously mentioned reasons, it seems that M.A. Policy would allow for a safer environment and more education for those who need it. Because such a policy can allow for a mandatory “follow-up” at a medical or counseling center in lieu of a fine, those who have experienced help for over intoxication can more effectively learn from their experiences and make more aware choices in the future.
This is a policy that many people take issue with for many reasons, the illegality of the underage drinking, and suggestions that this “rewards bad behavior” and might not lead to a change in actions. In regards to the illegality of underage drinking, it should not be the case for colleges to strictly adhere to the letter of the law in determining what constitutes a punishable action on campus. It is institutions such as liberal arts colleges that should be more active in challenging the law in striving to benefit society. A college that simply espouses critical thinking about the world inside the classroom but cannot itself challenge that world is lacking a sense of true societal responsibility.
The idea that a M. A. Policy would “reward bad behavior” suggests that it is acceptable to punish personal actions that only yield personal consequences without harm to others. One should have a right to their own person, it should not be the right of colleges or states to punish people for personal harm. Are we simply the property of the state or college? Or is it acceptable to punish people based or moral judgments of what is “right” or “wrong”? Also I think that it is not ok to claim harm to others in the form of emotional worrying to those nearby, or ambulance usage, as grounds for saying that even though it is personal consumption without overt damage to others it still harms or burdens others. Everyones actions in one way or another effects others, but when these actions are by and large personal, it should be the right of the person to deal with the consequences without external legal repercussions.
People make choices and experience the results, and it should not be the right of institutions to pass judgment or punish those whose actions do not harm others. I think a M.A. Policy is an effective way of respecting the intelligence and responsibility of individuals who after over indulging in substances make the decision to seek help for themselves, or help being sought by others. Just because people may make poor decisions should not take away from the responsibility shown by people seeking to solve those poor decisions. And again, such a policy can allow for the requirement to seek professional counseling or help after the incident as a way to avoid punishments. Therefore a M.A. Policy encourages greater personal responsibility and shifts the focus of the experience from a punishment issue to one of medical help that can be better learned from, which I think would benefit the Wheaton community.
[i] Cornell University Medical Amnesty Protocol, http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/top10Topics/alcohol-tobacco-drugs/AOD/medicalAmnesty.html
November 15 2009 04:49 pm | The Naked Truth