Officials tout Indiana’s alcohol amnesty law

MUNCIE — Indiana officials are visiting college campuses to remind students of a new law encouraging people to seek medical help for those who are dangerously intoxicated.

The law that went into effect July 1 protects people from arrest on alcohol charges if they seek help for a medical emergency. Attorney General Greg Zoeller (ZEHL’-ur) said during a visit to Ball State University that by raising public awareness he hopes young people won’t be reluctant to call 911 if someone needs help.

Law sponsor Sen. Jim Merritt of Indianapolis says more than two dozen Indiana students younger than 21 have died from alcohol poisoning since 2004. He says many of those deaths could have been prevented if someone had sought medical attention immediately for the victims.