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What is Medical Amnesty?
Medical amnesty is exemption from discipline for violations of university drug- or alcohol-use/possession policies for Michigan State University students seeking immediate medical assistance for themselves or on behalf of persons experiencing drug- or alcohol-related emergencies and for MSU students requiring medical attention related to a drug- or alcohol-related emergency. Instead, the students will meet with University personnel and be assigned educational interventions when there is concern regarding the safety of a student in connection to the student’s alcohol or drug use.
The full policy, including student eligibility information, can be accessed by clicking this link: MSU Medical Amnesty Policy
What is a Medical Emergency?
A medical emergency is a serious and unexpected situation involving illness or injury and requiring immediate action. It is not uncommon for medical assistance to be required after consumption of alcohol and/or drugs.
Examples of medical emergency include, but are not limited to:
- Alcohol Poisoning/Overdose
- Drug Overdose
- Physical injuries as a result of substance use
Signs of substance overdose include:
- Confusion or stupor
- Vomiting while passed out, not waking up after vomiting, or incoherence while vomiting
- Seizures
- Breathing is slow (less than 8 breaths per minute) or irregular, with 10 seconds or more between breaths
- Weak pulse, very rapid pulse, or very slow pulse
- Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
- Loss of consciousness: Inability to awaken a person with loud shouting, or inability of a person to remain awake for more than 2-3 minutes or to carry on a coherent conversation when awake (semi-conscious)
- A person who has lost consciousness and cannot be awakened is in danger of dying. Help is needed immediately.
