Washington legislature tackles underage alcohol poisoning
Feb 12, 2013, 6:01 AM | Updated: 7:35 am
Said Liias, "We want to make sure that when they make one bad choice they don't compound it by making a really life-ending choice by not calling 911 because they're afraid of getting in trouble with the law." (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
Four Washington State University students stopped breathing while binge drinking during the first four months of this school year. One of those students died.
The state legislature wants to give underage drinkers an opportunity to help their friends before they end up in the hospital or dead.
State Rep. Marko Liias believes a fear of getting in trouble for some of these underage drinkers is keeping them from getting help for their buddies when they’ve had too much, or in some cases way too much to drink.
“Young people are making bad choices sometimes,” said Liias. “We want to make sure that when they make one bad choice; they don’t compound it by making a really life-ending choice by not calling 911 because they’re afraid of getting in trouble with the law.”
Liias wants to get rid of that fear of getting in trouble. He’s sponsoring a bill that gives limited immunity to underage drinkers who seek help for a friend in need. “If you are caught for MIP (minor in possession) because you called 911, you can’t be charged with MIP,” he said. And neither can the person needing help.
Liias said this legislation in similar to a state law passed a few years ago that prevents people under the influence of drugs from being prosecuted when they take their friends in for help.
