Substance use is prevalent among college students, often linked to academic and peer pressure. [1] Most colleges have strict rules denying the use of alcohol or controlled substances on campus. [2] However, California is implementing a new law from July 2026, which will prioritize rehabilitation from substance use over disciplinary action. [3]
AB 602 (Campus Overdose Act): A new approach to overdoses on campus
College students who break the rules regarding substance use on campus may face serious disciplinary consequences, including temporary or permanent expulsion from the campus. [2] But this threat of disciplinary action acts to discourage students from seeking medical help during a substance overdose, as the consequences could significantly impact their studies. [2] However, not seeking help during an overdose can be extremely dangerous and could even be fatal. California is aiming to tackle this problem by introducing the Campus Overdose Act. [3]
This new law, also called the AB 602, will provide increased protection for students who experience an overdose. [2][3] It will require all the campuses of California Community Colleges, California State University, and the University of California to offer students rehabilitation services from drug or alcohol use before taking any disciplinary action. [2][3] If the student completes the appropriate rehabilitation program, they will not face any disciplinary action. [3]
How the law changes campus response to overdoses
The current disciplinary approach means students are fearful of asking for help in the event of an overdose, which increases the risk that the overdose could be fatal or result in other medical complications. [2] This new treatment approach helps to take this fear away, with students knowing they can get help for an overdose without immediate disciplinary action. [2]
Why this shift matters
This new law matters as it shifts the perspective towards prioritizing students’ health, safety, and well-being. [3] The current disciplinary system is dangerous for students’ health, penalizing those struggling with substance use, and increasing the risk of serious health impacts from overdose. By prioritizing treatment, students can not only get immediate help during an overdose but also ongoing support to help reduce and stop substance use.
Who is protected and when
This new law only applies to students at California Community Colleges, California State University, and the University of California. [3] Students will be protected if they seek help for their own personal alcohol or drug use and complete an appropriate rehabilitation program in a timeframe decided by the campus administrator. [3] This protection is only available once per academic term or semester. [3]
The new law does not protect students in the event they: [3]
- Receive multiple drug or alcohol violations in the same academic term.
- Fail to complete the required rehabilitation program within the set timeframe.
- Engage in substance-related activities that go beyond personal use, such as manufacturing or distribution.
- Face any criminal proceedings for drug possession. This law only protects against campus discipline, not against any state or federal laws.
What happens after a student overdoses under the law
When a student experiences an overdose and seeks medical treatment, the process under AB 602 is designed to be supportive rather than disciplinary. [2][3] Rather than immediately facing disciplinary proceedings, the student will be offered the chance to complete a rehabilitation program first. [2][3]
The campus administrator will arrange for an appropriate rehabilitation program to be undertaken and set a specific timeframe within which the student must complete this program. [2][3] If the student completes it successfully, no disciplinary action will be taken regarding their drug or alcohol use. [2][3] However, if they fail to complete the program within the agreed timeframe or have further substance use violations in the same academic semester, standard disciplinary proceedings will occur. [3]
What “rehab or drug education” can look like
The AB 602 law is flexible in how it defines an appropriate rehabilitation program, recognizing that students have different needs and circumstances. [3] An appropriate rehab or drug education program could include sessions with a college counsellor, attendance at a drug or alcohol education group, formal medical treatment, behavioral therapies, or other programs deemed appropriate by the institution. This flexibility allows campuses to tailor their response to the individual student.
Potential benefits for students and how it encourages saving lives
The AB 602 law encourages harm reduction in relation to substance use. When students know that seeking help will not automatically result in disciplinary action, the barrier to calling for help during an overdose is significantly reduced. [2] This could prove to be the difference between life and death in a serious overdose, allowing students to get immediate treatment, such as naloxone for an opioid overdose.
Beyond this, the law also creates a pathway for students to access ongoing support that they might otherwise have avoided, potentially reducing longer-term harm and the likelihood of adverse outcomes from substance use. It also helps to create an improved campus community and culture, with students looking out for one another. All of this combined provides significant benefits for students struggling with substance use.
What students and families should know
If you or someone you know is a student at a California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus, it’s important to understand what this law does and does not cover. From July 2026, students who seek treatment following personal drug or alcohol use will be entitled to be offered a rehabilitation program before any disciplinary action is taken, provided it’s their first incident in an academic term. [3]
Families should be encouraged to have open conversations with students about this change, making clear that getting help in an emergency is always the right decision. Being aware of local treatment options and having emergency numbers saved on your phone are important steps for students using substances. To better understand local and campus-specific policies, including overdose response, it would be worth reaching out to your campus student services.
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