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UF Won't Punish Drinkers Who Seek Medical Help

GAINESVILLE (CBS4) -- To help ensure all students call for medical help for themselves or their friends during alcohol, drug or other health emergencies, the University of Florida has adopted a policy that will allow students to seek medical attention without fear of disciplinary action.

UF's Medical Amnesty Policy, known as MAP, applies to sanctions under its code of conduct for underage drinking or other violations.

Dave Kratzer, UF's interim vice president for student affairs, says it's meant to encourage students to call 911 if they or their friends have had too much to drink.

"We want our students to pick up the phone immediately when confronted with a medical emergency without having second thoughts," said Kratzer. "A delayed reaction could mean the difference between the life and death of one of our students."

The policy was announced Monday at a meeting of the Community Alcohol Coalition, a task force of university, police and city officials. The group was formed in 2005 in response to the alcohol-related deaths of a number of UF students.

UF officials said the medical amnesty policy has already been in practice but not publicized.

Alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses can be fatal. Nationally, more than 1,800 college-aged students die each year from alcohol-related incidents, including car accidents. Additionally, the number of students ages 18 to 24 suffering injuries related to alcohol each year approaches 600,000.

The Medical Amnesty Policy does not apply to students engaging in criminal activity including the illegal distribution of illicit substances, harassment or assault.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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