Date of Award

Winter 12-21-2018

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Dr. Rodney Lyn

Second Advisor

Trese Flowers, MPH

Third Advisor

Aliza Petiwala, MPH, MSW

Abstract

This Capstone project centers a five-page policy brief which petitions the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) to implement a system-wide Good Samaritan amnesty policy for college students and alcohol-related emergencies. Each year, nearly 2,000 college students die due to alcohol-related harm5. College students are most susceptible to dangerous drinking and alcohol misuse6,14.Alcohol misuse describes alcohol consumption that puts individuals at increased risk for adverse social and health consequences3. Alcohol misuse through the form of binge and heavy drinking are the most common patterns of dangerous drinking for college students. Dangerous and excessive alcohol consumption result in problems like academic consequences, sexual assault, fighting and violence, unintentional injury and motor vehicle accidents, increased risk for homicide and suicide, and death by alcohol overdose. This policy brief advocates for protection against academic penalties, like expulsion or suspension, that are likely to dissuade students from stepping up to help. This policy will protect and empower college students to step up and help save the lives of their classmates, peers and friends.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/13468324

Download

Share

COinS