New law gives minors amnesty

Drinking alcohol is an activity that college students have been participating in for decades. However, since the minimum legal drinking age was changed from 18 to 21 in Nebraska on January 1, 1985, drinking is illegal for many college students. Although it is illegal, the possible legal repercussions do not stop some minors from drinking.

Alcohol consumption comes with risks much more lasting than those that can come from law enforcement. It can lead to injury and ultimately death, if it is not consumed with discretion.

One instance of this tragedy occurred at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln last fall when Clayton Real, freshman of Grafton, died of acute alcohol poisoning at his fraternity after an off-campus party.

According to the Lincoln Journal Star, a law encouraging underage drinkers to call for medical help if they or a friend is suffering from alcohol poisoning was put into effect Sunday.

The law, LB439, is known as the Good Samaritan law. It gives minors a limited amount of legal immunity if they call for medical assistance, and was put into effect a year after the incident at UNL.

However, it is important to note that the amnesty offered by the law is limited. It does not provide immunity for acts of sexual violence, threats, assaults, the use of false identification, procuring for minors, or harassment and hazing. The law also does not allow others to piggyback onto the call to avoid getting in trouble.

In order to fall under the protections of the law, the person must remain on the scene until medical assistance has arrived, and they must cooperate with the medical personal and any law enforcement personnel. There are currently 21 states that have similar laws.

This law is a good initiative to save lives because it is a fact that underage students will consume alcohol regardless, but this law can potentially save lives of students that may not have otherwise been given the medical attention that they needed.

We urge you to take full advantage of the protections that this law offers minors on this campus and in the surrounding area. If you are in a situation where you think that somebody would benefit from medical assistance, there is now nothing that should discourage you from calling for help and potentially saving somebody’s life.