The Abridged version:
- AB 602 bars academic penalties for college students who successfully complete a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
- Supporters argue the threat of disciplinary action had previously made students hesitant to seek treatment.
- A 2006 study on Cornell University’s medical amnesty policy found students were more likely to seek and continue treatment when academic penalties were waived.
Editor’s note: This story was reported by journalism students at Sacramento State University, under the direction of associate professor and Abridged contributor Phillip Reese.
A new law will allow college students in Sacramento and across California seeking medical treatment for drug and alcohol use to avoid academic penalties if they complete a rehabilitation program.
AB 602 will go into effect on July 1, 2026 and replace previous policies seeking disciplinary action in the University of California, California State University and California Community College systems for drug related issues. Previous laws didn’t mandate an opportunity to enter a rehabilitation program for students who may face charges of illegal drug use on campus.
The federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 required schools to implement drug prevention programs and implement clear disciplinary sanctions for illegal drug use in order to receive federal funding. Before AB 602, disciplinary action for students seeking medical treatment after violating drug policies could include penalties like immediate expulsion or suspension.
Dzian Tran is a student at UC Berkeley and the communication director for the Youth Power Project who testified in support of AB 602. She said that fear of repercussions following illegal drug or alcohol use can make students reluctant to seek help.
“At Berkeley, I’ve seen how fear of disciplinary action causes hesitation, forcing students to weigh saving themselves against risking their academic future. No one should have to make that choice,” Tran said in testimony featured on CalMatters’ Digital Democracy platform. “These protections aren’t new or untested.
Tran mentioned the UC Davis Aggies Act, an amnesty program that has allowed students to report medical emergencies related to drug and alcohol abuse without fear of academic penalty for almost a decade. Sacramento State also has a medical amnesty program for students.
Sarah Jane Johnson-Ford, a second-year transfer student at Sacramento State, worked as a mental health worker and in a juvenile hall in Monterey County. Johnson-Ford said that even though she worked with juveniles, similar factors like peer pressure can impact drug use for students in college.
“This bill shows them that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” Johnson-Ford said, “It’s good they can still get their education.”
Sacramento State student Brandon Jimenez said he sees the new bill as a sign of forgiveness and grace.
“As young adults, there’s moments we’re going to make mistakes,” Jimenez said. “I feel like this is actually a good thing to have. I don’t think having an issue should get in the way of your academic success. You should have the opportunity to do better.”
A choice for students
In an emailed statement, Amy Bentley-Smith, Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs for the CSU, shared that while there is no specific plan for how individual schools will implement this new program, they plan on ensuring that “campuses will be prepared” for when the law goes into effect on July 1, 2026.
At Sacramento State, students facing drug addiction and mental health issues have the option to turn to the Wellness, Education, Leisure and Lifestyle center, or the WELL, for counseling services, said Jeanne Harris Van Dahlen, the senior associate vice president of counseling services at the WELL.
“We address physical health, mental health, substance use, education, basic needs and overall well-being. Our goal is to remove any barriers that could impact our students,” Harris Van Dahlen said, adding the school employs several psychiatrists, psychologists and other clinicians.
All mental health services the WELL offers, with the exception of psychiatric prescriptions, are included in student tuition and fees.
According to an analysis of the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, college students are more likely than non-students to have substance use disorders dealing with alcohol and cannabis, and are less likely to receive treatment for disordered drug use.
Jacob Garden-De La Hoya, a counselor at the WELL, said that many of his patients are coping with mental health issues through short-term gratification. He said that a lot of his clients resort to feelings of shame when dealing with these issues.
“I think a universal theme with a lot of my clients is maladaptive coping, and so I tell a lot of my clients,” Garden-De La Hoya said, “we don’t shame ourselves into change.”
He said that in his practice, he works with his clients to form coping strategies that are helpful and sustainable.
“It really is just identifying and highlighting what does adaptive coping look like for you?” Garden-De La Hoya said of his clients. “What does support look like for you, and how do we tailor that to you?”
Harris Van Dahlen said officials recently implemented a 24/7 care practice, where no matter when students may be experiencing issues or a crisis they can receive mental health services.
“Say that they have a crisis at 10 o’clock at night and they need to talk to somebody,” Harris Van Dahlen said. “They can call. They can talk to a licensed counselor at 10 o’clock at night, and they can schedule a follow up appointment on a Sunday at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.”
The exemption from disciplinary action highlighted in the law will take effect once there is proof that the student has completed the rehabilitation within the timeframe set by campus administrators.
The specifics of what the programs look like will vary but will include appropriate counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or other diversion programs.
According to a 2006 study of Cornell University’s institution of a medical amnesty policy, students were more likely to seek help and participate in follow-up counseling..
“The question isn’t whether medical amnesty works,” Tran said. “It does.”