You are protected for giving medical care in the state of Oregon, including administering naloxone or calling 911 for other drug related emergencies.

“Any medical care rendered must be performed voluntarily and in good faith. There can be no expectation of compensation (no discussion of money) before care is rendered. The law covers medical or dental care not provided in a place where medical care is readily available.

No person may seek damages due to injuries or death that resulted from acts or omissions of the person who rendered the emergency medical assistance (unless the person who rendered aid was grossly negligent). Do not attempt anything beyond your scope of training.

If someone is overdosing and you seek medical help for them, neither of you can be arrested or prosecuted for:

• Possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia

• Being in a place where drugs are used

• Violating probation or parole because of #1 or #2 above

• Outstanding warrants related to #1 or #2 above”

Lewis & Clark College considers the health and safety of community members to be a core priority and has therefore adopted the following Medical Amnesty & Good Samaritan Policy. This is meant to support students who take appropriate responsibility and care for the health and safety of themselves and others, even in circumstances that may involve violations of alcohol or drug policies. If it is found that the Medical Amnesty & Good Samaritan policy applies to an incident, students will not face disciplinary consequences for violating the Alcohol and Drugs Policy. However, they may be required to meet with either the Community Accountability & Conflict Education (CACE) office or the Health Promotion & Wellness (HPW) office to talk about what happened.

This policy applies to the following parties: 1) student(s) requesting medical assistance for oneself; 2) student(s) or a student organization requesting medical assistance for another person; 3) student(s) for whom medical assistance was provided. Seeking medical assistance is defined as a student or student organization contacting Campus Safety, College professional staff, Resident Advisors, or Emergency Medical Services (911) for support in a perceived medical emergency.

The College has adopted the language of a “perceived medical emergency,” for the purposes of this policy. This is defined as circumstances in which the behavior of an individual leads a person to believe that the individual is experiencing a medical situation that requires an immediate medical response.

If a student perceives or experiences a medical emergency on campus, it is important to call for medical assistance from Campus Safety, College professional staff, Resident Advisors, or Emergency Medical Services (911) as soon as possible. Students off campus should contact Emergency Medical Services (911) directly. After calling for help, the student is to remain present at the scene after they have sought assistance until permitted to depart by Emergency Medical Services or a College official.

After the emergency subsides, any student who received medical assistance, or initiated a call for help, while potentially violating the Alcohol or Drug Policy, will be sent a letter mandating a supportive meeting with either the Community Accountability & Conflict Education (CACE) office or the Health Promotion & Wellness (HPW) office. Neither conversation will result in findings of responsibility or assigned outcomes typical in the normal conduct process. However, failure to complete this required conversation by the set deadline will result in a hold being placed on the student’s account until the requirement is met.

Below is a brief description of how a typical conversation of this nature would proceed.

• Typical CACE conversation: a non-judgemental conversation about the circumstances around the incident and strategies or resources on or off campus that may be accessed to avoid future medical emergencies. Students may also choose to meet with CACE if they have questions or concerns about the process or how records are maintained.

• Typical HPW conversation: a non-judgemental conversation about the incident, motivations of substance use, discussion of desired behavior change, and tips and strategies for safer substance use to avoid medical emergencies in the future (if necessary).

Students who are present during a perceived medical emergency but are not evidently in violation of alcohol or drug policies will not be required to meet with any office under this policy. However, CACE will follow up with supportive resources and an invitation to confer with either office, if desired.

Documentation of referrals made under this policy will be maintained by CACE separate from a student’s official conduct record. As such, these records would not be shared during inquiries about student conduct records. For more specific information about how these records are maintained by CACE, please email CACE@lclark.edu.

Exceptions

• This policy is meant to apply to isolated incidents, and it may not be applied in cases of egregious or serial violations of College alcohol or drug policies. Examples of severe violations that would not be covered by the Good Samaritan Policy include felony-level possession of illicit substances, violations of other College Policies (i.e. Property Damage Policy, Violent, Abusive or Threatening Conduct Policy, etc.) in conjunction with an alcohol or drug policy violation, or any violation that causes severe harm to the College community.

• In cases where the College is concerned about a student’s ongoing health and safety, the process outlined in this policy may be deviated from to address those concerns. An example of this may include notifying Emergency Contacts and the College’s Welfare Intervention Network in circumstances where a student’s condition appears life-threatening or if additional information seems to indicate there is an ongoing substance use concern that may put the student’s or community’s well-being at risk.

What to do if the police show up at the door of a party

• Know that they are most likely there because of a noise complaint and they are required to follow up. 

• Turn off the music, ask people to quiet down, and have intoxicated party goers move out of the entry way and out of sight. Get the person who is on the lease or otherwise responsible for the space.

• Have another person at the event videotape the encounter, encourage them not to speak or otherwise interfere with the officers

• Step outside and close the door behind you, respectfully ask why they are there.

If they ask to look around inside but you don't want them to:

• You can tell them, “I do not consent to any searches of the house.”

• If they ask why not, you can tell them, “I can’t let you inside without a warrant.”

• If they keep pushing, you can ask “Am I legally required to comply?”

• If they continue, you can ask “Am I being detained?”

If they force their way in

• Speak loud enough for everyone to hear, “I don’t consent to you entering my house” and make sure this is on tape.

• Don’t lie! It’s better to refuse to answer a question by saying something like, “I won't speak to you without an attorney present.”

Police can only enter if

• You let them in

• They have a warrant

• Illegal activity is happening in plain view (through a window for example)

• Through exigent circumstances (i.e. there is an emergency)

You aren’t required to give them an ID but if you’re over 21 it can help things run more smoothly if you do.

Remember that police can lie to you to obtain evidence.