Ridgewood May 9, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 13 Municipal Alliance distributes hold-blameless cards by John Koster Ridgewood Municipal Alliance leaders Sheila Brogan and Laurie Goodman were praised by the Ridgewood Village Council for their initiative in distributing wallet-sized Medical Amnesty Pocket Cards to Ridgewood High School students who might need to save a life if a friend drinks too much. “It’s a fantastic idea, Laurie. Thank you so much,” Council Member Stephen Wellinghorst said at last week’s work session. The cards remind students that the students will not be prosecuted for underage possession of alcohol or underage consumption of alcohol if the students call the police to help a friend in case of alcohol poisoning or accidents related to underage drinking. “You must be the first person to make the 911 report,” the printed card states. “If you follow these rules, you, one or two friends, and the person receiving medical help will be immune from prosecution for underage drinking or consumption.” “The first step was to get these distributed,” Goodman told the council. “We have arranged with the Municipal Alliance for the printing costs.” The Ridgewood Council recently adopted an ordinance that extends legal immunity to anyone who makes a 911 call in the case of dangerous intoxication, and to the victim. The purpose was to encourage students to call for help in cases of alcohol poisoning without fear of being prosecuted, and without fear of exposing their intoxicated friends to prosecution. The target audience for the cards, Brogan said, would be every student at Ridgewood High School. When former Ridgewood High School Principal John Lorenz first arrived, he conducted a survey which he said disclosed that drug problems at were not prevalent at the school, but indicated a problem with alcohol consumption by minors, especially at house parties. Wellinghorst asked if the Municipal Alliance had considered distributing the cards at other district schools. “We might look at our eighth graders, particularly with summer coming,” Brogan said.