Substance Use Reduction

The McDonald Center recognizes the significant impact alcohol and other substances can have on the lives of individual students and the well-being of the entire campus community. As such, the McDonald Center practices several substance use risk reduction strategies to keep Notre Dame students healthy.

Expectation of Responsibility

Notre Dame students are expected to exercise active care and concern and contact appropriate authorities in the event of any health or safety emergency, even if violations of the University’s alcohol policy, controlled substances policy, and/or hazing and hazing-like initiation may have occurred in connection with such an emergency.

Because students’ concern of possible disciplinary action may unnecessarily deter their desire to seek medical attention for themselves or others, the University has adopted the following to remove barriers for students seeking medical attention in alcohol and drug-related incidents. This Expectation of Responsibility is intended to create an environment where students receive necessary medical attention and those involved are provided an opportunity to learn from the incident.

In situations where someone requires medical attention due to an alcohol and/or drug-related incident, students are expected to:

  • Proactively contact an appropriate authority (e.g. Notre Dame Security Police, residence hall staff, 911, etc.) to seek medical attention.
  • Remain with the individual requiring medical attention.
  • Cooperate with responding emergency officials.

Learn more about the University’s Expectation of Responsibility to remove barriers for students seeking medical attention in alcohol and drug-related incidents in du Lac: A Guide to Student Life.

Indiana Lifeline Law

Students should also be aware of the Indiana Lifeline Law. Similar to Notre Dame’s Expectation of Responsibility, the priority is to ensure the person suffering from an alcohol-related health emergency gets the help they need.

In order to receive immunity from certain crimes under the Indiana Lifeline Law, the person must demonstrate they are acting in good faith by completing ALL of the following:

  1. Providing their full name and any other relevant information requested by law enforcement officers, and
  2. Remaining on the scene until law enforcement and emergency medical assistance arrives, and
  3. Cooperating with authorities on the scene.

The Lifeline Law does not limit the ability to prosecute for other criminal offenses, such as providing alcohol or other substances to a minor, operating while intoxicated, or possessing a controlled substance.