"Health & Medical News"

Hoping to encourage more students to call for help when they or friends get in trouble with alcohol, the University of Texas is promising not to punish callers or victims even if they are underage, Fox News reported Jan. 15.

“Students are going to drink, and especially students who are not seasoned drinkers are going to put themselves at risk, so my belief is that it removes one barrier to saving a life,” said Chuck Roper, head of the school’s alcohol and drug education program.

Under the Alcohol Medical Emergency.Call (A-Mech) initiative, underage drinkers or those drinking illegally on campus would be referred to counseling, not disciplinary action. “This is a program that encourages students to call for help in the event of an alcohol medical emergency without fear of getting in trouble with the University,” said Roper.

A-Mech only applies to students on campus, and not to fraternities or sororities if hazing is suspected.

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