New Jersey considers bill which would give immunity to teen drinkers who call for help
New Jersey is considering a bill which would provide immunity to underage drinkers who call the police for their severely intoxicated friends who are in need of medical assistance. A young man testified recently before a State Senate committee regarding the issues surrounding teen drinking and the potential for criminal liability. The young man was twenty years old when his friend, who had consumed an enormous amount of alcohol at a party, stumbled into a bedroom and laid down. The young man helped his friend lie down, gave him a bottle of water, and took his shoes off. Unfortunately, his friend slipped into a coma and died.
The young man testified that he would have called for help but he was in fear of getting into trouble. He was only twenty at the time and had been drinking as well at the party. The new bill would grant immunity to anyone under 21 who calls for help when another young person drinks too much and is in need of emergency assistance. Further, the bill would give immunity to the severely intoxicated young person as well. For additional info, see "NJ weighs immunity for teen drinkers who seek help."
This seems like a really good idea. The last thing we need is kids worried about getting into trouble rather than calling for help when someone is in need of emergency medical assistance. Also, I don't think granting them immunity will increase the likelihood that young people will drink too much at parties and the like. My guess would be that the statistics would essentially stay the same in the long run.
