As of Feb. 1, Washington University’s medical amnesty policy has extended to not only protect students involved in alcohol-related emergencies, but now drug-related health emergencies as well. Calls to the Emergency Support Team (EST) that involve use or presence of an illegal substance no longer come with a guarantee of university disciplinary action, and the the Student Life Editorial Board is in strong support of the policy change.

The University’s first implementation of a medical amnesty policy was formalized in May of 2015. What used to be gray territory was solidified into certainty that calling an emergency line in the case of an alcohol-related emergency would result in non-punitive follow-up meetings and wellness measures after the individual received help. Once a student completed the tasks discussed in those wellness meetings, they would be exempt from any permanent conduct violation on their record.

The policy never explicitly stated that amnesty would be granted for drug-related emergencies but it did state that amnesty would not be granted for the distribution of drugs. This vagueness had the potential to lead students to assume that calling campus emergency services in a situation involving drugs would result in disciplinary action, so it enabled students to avoid seeking help in potentially dangerous situations. Rather than encouraging safe behavior, the policy facilitated an environment of distrust where students might put themselves at risk.

Consequently, there are few downsides to an extended medical amnesty policy. Minimizing vagueness in a clearly-outlined policy shifts university intentions to a side of harm reduction, which aligns with the work of both the Habif Health and Wellness Center and trained student Peer Health Educators. Encouraging student safety through a promise of amnesty in substance-involved emergencies removes the burden from students of having to choose between saving a friend’s life and the legal consequences that that friend may have to endure as a result. In life-or-death medical emergencies, the means by which the emergency happened shouldn’t prevail over the means by which the emergency can be resolved. The Student Life Editorial Board appreciates that this new medical amnesty policy reflects this truth.

The updated policy still openly states that students are not exempt from the legal proceedings of any local law enforcement that may become involved, especially if these incidents occur off campus. Despite what some critics of the policy change may say, the updated policy does not encourage students to partake in illicit activities, but it does encourage students to seek help knowing that they will be protected from university sanctions. The policy simply allows these students to stay closer to their WU home and to have a safe lifeline to reach out to in dire straits.

The policy change seems to follow in the footsteps of recent events and conversations. When shipping student belongings back last spring, it was announced that no conduct charges would be brought against any student found to have an illegal substance among their possessions. Student Union, as well, has long advocated for an expansion of the amnesty policy. Regardless of how many administrative conversations had to take place for the change to be made, student safety should always come first, and we commend the University for taking strides to protect student health.

Our Voice: Editorial Board

Staff editorials reflect the consensus of our editorial board. The editorial board operates independently of our newsroom and includes members of the senior staff and forum section editors.

Editor in Chief: Emma Baker

Associate Editor: Matthew Friedman

Managing Editor: Kya Vaughn

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