Good Samaritan Protocol

In serious or life-threatening situations where alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose is suspected, or where medical assistance may otherwise reasonably be needed for an intoxicated/impaired person, students are expected to take the following steps:

1. Call 9-1-1!
2. Follow dispatch instructions and stay with the person needing assistance until help arrives.
3. Be prepared to give emergency medical personnel as much information as possible, including the amount and type of alcohol or substances consumed.

If a person is so intoxicated they are unable to be awakened, letting them “sleep it off” is not a reasonable alternative to seeking help.

1. University officials will record names of students involved, as well as other pertinent information, to enable any follow-up that may be deemed necessary, including to support students’ well-being.
2. The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities will evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the Good Samaritan Protocol applies. This may include meeting with students involved in the incident.
3. If the Good Samaritan Protocol applies to the situation, students involved will not be subject to university disciplinary action; however, they may still be subject to educational interventions, including completion of substance use/abuse interventions.
4. Students who fail to complete any assigned interventions may be subject to additional requirements or university disciplinary action.

NAU’s Good Samaritan Protocol applies to all students (and recognized student organizations) who seek medical attention for themselves or others in serious or life-threatening situations where alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose is suspected or where medical assistance may otherwise reasonably be needed for an intoxicated/impaired person. The protection of the Good Samaritan Protocol extends to the student in need of medical attention in these situations. The Good Samaritan Protocol applies to both on-campus incidents and incidents occurring off-campus at NAU-registered student events.

• An individual or group in situations resulting in serious physical injury or death.
• An incident involving another conduct concern, such as violence, vandalism, harassment, or hazing.
• An individual who is contacted by a law enforcement agency other than the NAU Police Department.
• An individual who is operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs when attempting to seek medical help.
• An individual who has been charged with a criminal offense in association with the alcohol or drug-related incident.
• Any calls to medical personnel deemed to be an attempt to invoke the Good Samaritan Protocol without due cause to avoid university disciplinary action.

This Good Samaritan Protocol is supported by NAU, but does not prevent legal action by local and state authorities under current state laws. Incidents such as violence, vandalism, harassment or hazing may be subject to university disciplinary action.