Issues with Substance Use and Academic Consequences
During his freshman year in Berkeley, California, TJ McGee experienced a drug and alcohol overdose. His roommates attempted to assist him, but when he stopped breathing, they called 911.
McGee survived but was left feeling guilty about the incident, prompting him to confront his substance use issues. Shortly after, he received an unexpected email from campus officials that stirred up a mix of emotions.
The email informed him that the administration was placing him on academic probation for violating the housing conduct rules related to drug and alcohol possession, use, and distribution. “They made me feel like I was the villain for my choices,” said McGee, now a 20-year-old junior. “I was already embarrassed.”
Currently, McGee advocates for California Legislative Bill 602, which aims to protect students from disciplinary action if they call 911 during an overdose emergency, whether for themselves or someone else. The bill also mandates that schools provide rehabilitation options for those seeking emergency medical assistance.
“This bill would prevent students like me from receiving such letters,” McGee stated.
The bill has already passed in both houses of the state legislature, and now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, though his spokesperson typically refrains from commenting on pending legislation.
Despite a recent national decline in overdose deaths, synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, continue to be a leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC’s figures may shift with new data from California, but it’s estimated that overdose deaths in the state decreased by 21% from March 2024 to March 2025. However, opioid-related deaths remain a significant concern, especially those linked to fentanyl.
In response to this crisis, California has begun requiring most public universities to equip campus health centers with Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses.
Although McGee was not using opioids during his overdose, he did receive Narcan during the incident.
Supporters of AB 602 argue that more measures are needed to encourage immediate assistance in drug-related emergencies. Saanvi Arora, a UC Berkeley student and founder of the Youth Power Project, emphasizes the importance of understanding the fear that often accompanies overdose situations. Her organization aims to empower young people to share their health experiences to drive policy change.
Fear of academic penalties—like probation, suspension, or expulsion—can deter students struggling with substance use from seeking help from advisors or instructors.
The Youth Power Project’s proposed bill, introduced by Councilman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), aims to address these concerns. “Calling for help during an overdose can be life-saving,” the lawmaker highlighted. “AB 602 clarifies that your academic future should never be jeopardized for making that call.”
If campus discipline and legal repercussions serve as deterrents to seeking help, then removing these fears could lead to more students reaching out for assistance, according to Evan Schreiber, director of substance abuse services at APLA Health.
Both Schreiber and Arora have highlighted that AB 602 builds on earlier legislation, enacted in 2013, which protects individuals who call for help in overdose emergencies from legal repercussions. However, this earlier law does not prevent universities from imposing disciplinary measures.
One significant difference between the 911 Good Samaritan Law and AB 602 is that the latter does not extend protections to students who call for help for their peers but are found to have violated campus drug policies. There is hope that this gap can be addressed in future amendments.
While AB 602 may not encapsulate all desired protections, it targets what Arora identifies as a crucial issue—varying policies across California’s public colleges make it challenging for students to navigate crises.
Reflecting on his journey, McGee wishes he had known about the support services available to him at Berkeley before his overdose. Entering college in fall 2023, he was already grappling with emotional struggles and isolation.
McGee grew up in an environment where substance use was prevalent, making it difficult for him to reach out for help during bouts of loneliness and depression. Parties seemed like an easier escape. However, this led him to experiment with harder drugs, miss classes, and spend days in bed, ultimately causing his academic performance to plummet.
His friends, who had come to his aid the night of the overdose, were left feeling disappointed by the turmoil he created for himself and others.
Realizing the urgency to salvage both his grades and relationships, McGee recalled his mentality: “You need to fix this. You have to correct it.”
After some time, he decided to apologize to a friend and share the struggles he had been experiencing.
In his sophomore year, while lobbying in Sacramento against funding cuts, McGee’s experiences resonated deeply, prompting him to support Haney’s bill and share his story during legislative meetings.
Although his disciplinary probation will last until the end of 2025, working on the overdose bill has been empowering for McGee. As a psychology major, he is now also pursuing a minor in public policy.
“Feeling involved in this bill has given me hope,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see support and care for such issues being established across the country. This is not just a California problem.”
