March 12, 2009
 | ANGELINI ‘911 LEGISLATION’ RELEASED FROM |
A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini that establishes a “safe haven” from prosecution for minors who summon medical assistance for intoxicated underage persons was approved today by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.
“This legislation is not and should not be based upon legal issues – whether a minor should or shouldn’t be charged with violations of our state’s minimum drinking age laws,” explained Angelini, R-Monmouth. “Nor does it condone underage drinking. Rather, it is a preventative measure designed to protect and preserve young lives.”
According to the latest statistics, about 8 out of 10 or 79.3% of high school students in New Jersey have consumed alcohol at some point in their short lifetimes. Nearly one-half or 46.5% have had one or more drinks of alcohol in the past 30 days.
Many of these underage drinkers consume alcohol in ways that are very dangerous and often result in serious medical issues such as alcohol overdoses. There are about 50,000 reported cases of alcohol poisoning each year with one fatality a week. In New Jersey, 27% of high school students engaged in binge drinking on one or more occasions in the past 30 days. Nearly half of high school seniors have done the same.
The bill, A-3160, which is known as “911” or “Lifeline Legislation,” stipulates that an underage person would not be prosecuted as a disorderly person if he or she sought medical treatment for an intoxicated minor.
“When youngsters between the ages of 12 and 20 consume alcohol, they often do so excessively,” said Angelini. “Many engage in binge drinking which often leads to alcohol poisoning. Such behavior can be fatal.”
The problem, Angelini noted, isn’t treating alcohol poisoning or overdoses – it’s getting youngsters to act when a friend or someone they know is experiencing symptoms. “Most fatalities occur because these young, inexperienced drinkers are afraid of getting themselves or their friends in trouble,” she said. “So instead of calling for medical help, they do nothing. Such inaction is often deadly. This legislation is designed to remove those barriers that would keep minors from seeking help for intoxicated friends.”
Angelini added that many college campuses around the nation have adopted similar programs known as “medical amnesty” policies, with very encouraging results.
The bill now heads to the General Assembly for further consideration.
