Tolerant of teenagers’ tolerances?

An endless number of factors shape prospective college students’ college lives: housing, course loads, dining halls, etc.  Another factor popping up in the minds of many students is medical amnesty. The Medical Amnesty Law, also known as the 911 Lifeline or the 911 Good Samaritan Law, gives intoxicated minors “legal immunity when they seek help for themselves or another individual who is in need of immediate medical attention,” according to the Medical Amnesty Initiative.

Although the policy is enacted in 31 states, it can turn into a gray area on college campuses. “I know students who were still punished depending on the campus’s own policies, despite state law,” said Ken Fields* via text, a sophomore at the UCLA. Without medical amnesty policies, colleges campuses like UC Berkeley located in states with the Medical Amnesty Law still reserve the right to punish students as they see fit, through sanctions like “disciplinary probation, suspension, and dismissal,” according to the Berkeley Campus Code of Student Conduct.

Other campuses opt to personally enact amnesty policies for their students, rather than standing under the umbrella of a statewide Amnesty Law. “My freshman year, a few of my friends were wasted to the point that I had to take them to the hospital closest to campus. We felt like little kids, scared we were going to get in trouble with administration even with the campus medical amnesty policy,” said Michaela Suarez*, a senior at a private research university in Washington, D.C. via text. “But there weren’t exactly any consequences, aside from a warning from hospital staff. And I think that’s a really positive thing because we learned our lesson on our own, anyway.”

Rather than encourage substance abuse, some educators think that amnesty policies on college campuses intend to protect students rather than encourage bad behavior. “I think they are a move in the right direction, I think like everything else — not just drug addiction — when you’re pushed up against a wall and you don’t have a lot of choices, you find yourself in situations that you might not have otherwise,” said English teacher Maral Guarino. “Although I don’t condone any drug use, I think sometimes we as human beings need a little window to get out of. I don’t think [amnesty policies] should be a deciding factor for seniors unless it aligns with their philosophy on life and it is the sort of community you need to thrive in. Then, surely, that should be a priority.”

Whether institutions of higher learning strike down hard with punishments or have more candid policies does not necessarily stop students’ substance abuse. According to the New York Times, “binge-drinking rate among college students has hovered above 40 percent for two decades,” regardless of campus’ amnesty policies or lack thereof. In many cases, technology has adapted to adults’ reactions to teen drug culture, including the limitation of a major resource meant to minimize the harm of drug use. TripSit.me acts as an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) to counsel anyone under the influence of drugs and helping them navigate through the experience, whether it be positive or negative.

TripSit was first founded in 2011 as a thread on Reddit, as a platform for honest discussion without the stigma that often surrounds drug users. It grew into a popular depository for information relating to users’ health which included a chart of the effects of mixing drugs, guides on addiction and overdoses, and emergency contact information.

Today, TripSit is no longer a subcommunity functioning out of Reddit.com. It has blossomed into its own entity, TripSit.me, standing as a resource for users to participate in chatrooms (categorized into General Chat, Assistance, Sanctuary, etc) and access the Immediate Assistance chat. Immediate Assistance allows its users to Skype with TripSit volunteers and the feature is most utilized by people in danger of overdoses or suicidal thoughts and allows volunteers to speak with the user and/or call emergency services wherever they may be located.

However, TripSit is planning to limit its chat feature to adults 18 and older by May 11, contradicting its original goal of creating “an inclusive community.” TripSit relies on donations and volunteers direct much of the platform; some users heavily speculate that, in order to attract serious donors, the website is limiting minors’ access to socialize on the website in an attempt to reestablish itself as a serious health and wellness resource rather than an Internet chatroom at anybody’s access.

“The new 18 and over policy feels forced,” said senior Peter Kershishian*. “They’re aware that minors on their website doesn’t look good and they need funds to expand, so maybe they’ll change the policy again when they have enough money behind it. I’m glad that it’s its own website now and everything, but I miss the thread on Reddit that wasn’t subject to these kinds of adult politics.” The website has yet to raise sufficient funds to file for nonprofit status, and ultimately, plans to provide services such as “free professional drug counseling, addiction counseling, and group therapy.”

Even companies without an agenda to help navigate between the murky waters between sobriety and intoxication find a way to insert themselves into the conversation about drug culture, most prominently ridesharing companies. Last April, Uber dispersed breathalyzer kiosks labeled “Uber Safe” in Toronto to determine whether its users would qualify for free rides home in an attempt to curb drunk driving. Although largely promotional, it has contributed to the perpetual conversation about drunk driving and alternate options. Ridesharing has become a booming business in major cities like Los Angeles, where there are over 20,000 active U.S. Driver-Partners according to Forbes.com. According to a Twitter poll conducted on April 20 with 43 participants, 42 percent of Clark students have used Uber services in place of a designated driver. Designated drivers are no longer necessary to weekend plans, as students test the waters of ridesharing options.

*Names of students have been changed upon their request.