Iowa State students drinking illegally is nothing new.

But not being charged after admitting to drinking while under the age of 21 years old is pretty outstanding.

The Department of Public Safety and Story County Attorney Mary Richards stated in a press release Wednesday that the two students who called for help for alcohol-poisoning victim, Jared Kenyon would not be charged for their alcohol behavior.

Kenyon, 19, a freshman in chemical engineering, became unconscious Thursday, Oct. 9, after drinking a fifth of vodka. He was admitted and released from Mary Greeley Medical Center later that day.

His two friends who called for help admitted to DPS officials that they had also been drinking illegally.

But in an effort to encourage students to call for help in alcohol-related problems, charges were not filed against the two.

Loras Jaeger, director of DPS, said they want to encourage people to act on behalf of the safety and well-being of others.

DPS and the Story County Attorney’s office should be commended for this act.

With increased enforcement of liquor laws, this is one case where the rules need not apply.

The two students weren’t caught drinking; they only admitted to committing the act.

In the long run, this decision will help in the ISU’s war against binge drinking.

Under-aged drinkers will no longer think about the possibility of getting themselves in trouble with the law when their friends pass out.

There will be no more hesitation in making that 911 phone call or a trip to the hospital.

Everyone should recognize that college students drink and will continue to drink.

But to help prevent alcohol- related deaths on college campuses, the factor of fear needs to be eliminated.

DPS and the Story County Attorney’s office did just that by not charging the two drunk Samaritans.