Underage Drinking Law OK'd With Drew U. Input

A law that prohibits underage drinking on private property with some exceptions won't take effect until after Drew University's May 17 commencement because of concerns the law could give students pause when considering calling for medical help if needed.

The Borough Council approved the law with a new effective date—May 20—at its Monday meeting, and plans to amend it further at the next meeting to alleviate those concerns.

A "Good Samaritan clause" meant to protect those seeking medical help from being punished under the alchohol law has been prepared and is expected to be introduced at the next Borough Council meeting, officials said.

Drew Student Government President Andrew Bishop raised concerns about the lack of such protection during the meeting, and said afterward officials found a good compromise in delaying when the new law takes hold.

Councilman Bob Landrigan, also a member of the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, said in his years responding to the school to treat and transport students who drank too much alcohol, he has not encountered parties and others drinking that would have led to other students being punished.

Generally, they respond to a dorm room where there is just a residence assistant with the sick student, and they focus only on providing the appropriate care, he said.

The Good Samaritan clause "will add an extra layer of protection, but you won't even need it," Landrigan said.

Council members said they did not have Drew in mind when introducing the ordinance, but were thinking about Madison students in high school, and in some cases even younger, who might abuse alcohol.

Kopas said Drew has made great strides with its drinking policy, but Madison's ordinances could be a setback.
"We are going to take a step backward," he said. "We are going ot have students afraid to make the call when a student is in trouble."

Council members said they did not have Drew in mind when introducing the ordinance, but were thinking about Madison students in high school and, in some cases younger, who might abuse alcohol.

During the public hearing, one Madison parent said she did not understand why the law calls for a possible punishment of loss of driver's license when drinking in a home does not necessarily have anything to do with driving.

Before the compromise was reached, Michael Kopas, Drew University's executive director of facilities and special projects, said Drew has made great strides with its drinking policies, but Madison's ordinance without a Good Samaritan clause would have been a setback.

"We are going to take a step backward," he said. "We are going to have students afraid to make the call when a student is in trouble."