Proposal: Amnesty for minors who bring drunk friend to hospital

Sometimes a student’s biggest party fear is not watching a friend getting their stomach pumped at the hospital.

It is receiving a Minor In Possession and getting in trouble for taking their friend to that hospital.

However, some Michigan State University students are trying to change that.

During a conference call with other schools, Kyle Dysarz, MSU Student Assembly vice chairman heard about a unique bill that Ohio State University had in place. OSU created a bill that granted intoxicated minors amnesty when bringing in a friend in need of medical attention.

“OSU brought up the fact of medical amnesty,” Dysarz said. “We didn’t have anything official or judicial at MSU.”

Dysarz and other students at MSU immediately began working to implement a medical amnesty bill of their own. They quickly got the administration, faculty and local police on board.

“Almost every meeting we’ve had full support,” Dysarz said. “We’ve met with local police and the health department; they all fully support the bill.”

However, those working to approve the law ran into a roadblock. Due to state law, MSU could not approve the bill unless the law regarding underage drinking was modified.

“We found out (State) Sen. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) introduced a similar bill a few years back,” Dysarz said. “We got in contact with her and asked her to reintroduce the bill.”

Currently, state law requires that the police be contacted when an intoxicated minor is brought in for medical attention.

Darcie Suderman, public relations director at Central Michigan Community Hospital said this procedure is standard protocol.

“An intoxicated minor brought in by a friend or an ambulance is treated first,” Suderman said. “But then the authorities are contacted.”

The first time Brater introduced the bill to the Senate, it received very little support. This time, however, the bill is receiving more support, Dysarz said. State Representative Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, is currently working to introduce the bill to the House as well.

Dysarz is looking for support from more than just them. He is hoping other universities across the state will join in the cause and voice their support for the bill.

“We are trying to get other universities on board,” Dysarz said. “I would encourage your student government at CMU to get involved, too.”

Brittany Mouzourakis, Garden City junior and Student Government Association vice president-elect, supports the medical amnesty bill.

She said she has seen many instances as a resident assistant where students are too afraid of getting an MIP to take an overly intoxicated friend to the hospital.

“Students think it’s a bad idea to take their friends to the hospital if they have alcohol poisoning,” Mouzourakis said. “I think the bill is a good thing. I would be interested in having our Student Services look into the bill.”

The bill isn’t about trying to give minors an excuse to get out of trouble, Dysarz said.

“It’s about student health and saving lives,” he said. “Everyone should support this bill.”

university@cm-life.com