Students for Sensible Drug Policies (SSDP) has plans to get their proposed Medical Amnesty policy approved by the end of the year, which would amend the University’s current drug policies and grant certain drug abuse cases exemptions from legal sanctions.
Undergraduate Student Government unanimously voted for its implementation back in Nov. 2017. Now, current SSDP president, Robert Goldsmith, is speaking with the Graduate Student Senate and hopes to gain their vote and move the policy up through the higher administration.
The new policy would incentivize and motivate substance abusers, or those witnessing substance abuse, to seek medical help without worrying about facing legal trouble.
“It’s just saying we understand that there are times where people will be irresponsibly using substances, sometimes to the effect of people being in actual danger like emergency situations,” Goldsmith said. “In the event of emergency services necessitating an issue, you can have the peace of mind to do it without worrying about legal sanctions.”
The policy, however, does not excuse or protect those who flagrantly or repeatedly violate the University’s Code of Conduct and is only applicable to straightforward cases of alcohol/drug over-consumption.
In 2017, the Bowling Green Police Department apprehended 347 drug abuse cases. Not all of these cases resulted in legal action, but there is always grave concern that a call for help will result in fines and other punitive damages.
Abusers may be faced with alternative sanctions instead, such as counseling, rehabilitation services or educational training over drug use.
Medical Amnesty is composed under the assumption that drug abuse is inevitable on-campus, and it seeks to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students, regardless of drug use.
“SSDP is an international, grass roots, student-led organization that aims to alleviate the harms that the drug war imposes on society,” Goldsmith said. “We are at the forefront of trying to get students active in the political process and saying that we have a voice here and we feel as though that there are things going on in our government that we don’t think are right and its hurting people and we try and help.”
The campus organization does not condemn or condone drug use, rather, it seeks to minimize harm regarding drug use in any capacity. Through education and initiatives like the Medical Amnesty policy, SSDP simply wants a safe campus, regardless of where anyone falls on the ideological spectrum of drug policy.
Goldsmith believes in the total and free legalization of all drugs, citing an individual’s right and liberty to take the risks of using substances. He wants to make sure that everyone is fully educated on drug effects so they can be used safely.
He does believe the University’s current drug policies are fair and are not too intrusive, but he believes Medical Amnesty is a solution that will remedy the common issue of students not seeking help when it’s necessary and potentially life-threatening.