Good Samaritan Policy
The Good Samaritan Policy means you can get help without being afraid. Even if you’re under 21.
About the Good Samaritan Policy
BU wants all students to be safe and look out for one another. The Good Samaritan Policy aims to make it easier for students to call for help in an emergency. The Good Samaritan Policy applies to situations involving alcohol, drugs, or both. It applies to BU students of any age and for both on and off-campus emergencies.
The Good Samaritan Policy says: “When a BU student seeks help for themselves or others who’ve used alcohol or drugs, neither student will receive a sanction for alcohol or drug use, as long as they complete an educational or counseling program on campus.”
Signs of an alcohol emergency
Knowing the signs of an alcohol emergency can help you save someone’s life or prevent other serious harm.
If someone is showing any of these signs, they may be experiencing an alcohol emergency:
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Unconscious or trouble staying awake
- Seizures
- Irregular or slow breathing
- Skin that is pale, grey, or bluish
- Skin that is clammy or cool to the touch
- Racing heartbeat
What to do in an alcohol or drug emergency
If you think someone is having a drug or alcohol emergency, call for help immediately.
- If you are on the Charles River or Fenway Campus, call the BU Police at 617-353-2121
- If you are on the BU Medical Campus, call BU Public Safety at 617-358-4444
- If you are off-campus, call 911
BU Police and Public Safety know the BU campus best and can respond quickly. BU Police and BU Public Safety also carry naloxone.
After you call for help:
- Stay with the person until medical help arrives. Do not leave the person alone.
- Lay the person on their side, as long as it’s safe to do so. This can help keep the person’s airway clear in case they vomit.
- Do not give the person food or drinks. It can be easy for them to choke, even on water or coffee.
- Do not give them a cold shower or other methods thought to help “sober someone up”.
Learn more about the Good Samaritan Policy, signs of an alcohol emergency, and what to do from the Student Health Ambassadors.
FAQs
Why is there a BU Good Samaritan Policy?
How do I know if I should call for help?
Why is the policy only for alcohol or drug use?
The policy says that students won’t receive a sanction “as long as they complete an educational or counseling program on campus.” What does that mean?
Does the Good Samaritan Policy also apply off campus?
Does the policy apply only to alcohol emergencies?