Good Samaritan Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I do if a friend is showing signs of alcohol poisoning or other drug overdose?

  If you recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning or other drug overdose, call for emergency help right away! Stay with your friend until help arrives.

  The following are signs of life threatening overdose:

  1. Person is passed out or semi-conscious and cannot be awakened
  2. Person vomits while sleeping or passed out and does not wake up
  3. Rate of breathing seems slow or irregular
  4. Person has cold, clammy, pale or bluish color skin

  If you notice any of the above signs and you are on campus, call University Police at 333 from a campus phone or 631-632-3333 from a cell phone. If you are off-campus call 911.

• What should I do after I call for help?

  Stay calm, you’ve done the most important thing in calling for help. Stay with your friend. If someone else is with you and they are knowledgeable of the area, ask them to wait for the emergency personnel at the entrance of the building to guide them when they arrive. Try to remember or gather information about what substance(s) your friend used. Emergency personnel may want to know what it was, how much was ingested, over what period of time, and other pertinent information such as if it was mixed with anything, or if this was the first time your friend used the substance. This and other information may be critical to helping your friend.

• What if I am underage and under the influence when I call for help?

  In this situation, emergency personnel will be mainly concerned with the person who needs the most help. Make sure to stay with your friend until help arrives.

  Both you and the person you’ve called for would not be charged with the alcohol or drug policy. However, the University will follow up with you and the person; both will receive an educational intervention.

  For more information about New York State’s Good Samaritan law, please visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0139.pdf

• Does the Good Samaritan Policy apply if I call for help for myself?

  Yes.

• Does Stony Brook University contact my parents if I am transported to the hospital?

  The University does not automatically contact your parents when you are transported to the hospital.  However, due to the severity of the incident the hospital or the University may contact the student’s parents or guardians if necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

• You come home from a party to find your roommate is passed out on their bed. You find the RA who determines that your roommate needs medical attention. The RA calls the SBU Police Department who sends EMS, and EMS transports your roommate to the hospital. The RA documents the incident and notes that you also appeared to be intoxicated. Would the Good Samaritan Policy apply?

  Good Samaritan is considered for both you and your roommate because you sought assistance from an RA for your roommate. In such a case, the University will follow up with you and the person for whom you called; both will receive an educational intervention.

• Does Good Samaritan protect students from police or legal actions?

  No. Good Samaritan only applies to the Code of Student Responsibility. It does not prevent or preclude police or other legal actions.

• Will incidents involving the Good Samaritan Policy be on my academic record?

  No. This policy was created to decrease barriers for students who need medical attention related to alcohol or other drug use.

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