Good Samaritan Laws Save Lives

On October 1, the state of Maryland will put into effect what’s called a “Good Samaritan Law,” which will protect a person from getting in trouble if they summon aid for someone else who is overdosing on drugs or alcohol.  Twenty states and the District of Columbia now have such laws, and more states are considering them—because they save lives. Many people who overdose on drugs die because the people they are with have also taken drugs and are afraid of getting caught—so they hesitate to dial 911. Those friends may not just be acting selfishly—they may be unsure of how serious the problem is and, fearing legal trouble, may not be using their best judgment. Second-guessing how much danger an overdosing companion is in can cause a fatal delay in calling for help. What Friends Are For The term “Good Samaritan” comes from a parable in the New Testament, about a stranger who comes to the aid of a robbed, beaten-up traveler. Good Samaritan laws are passed to remove obstacles to helping others in need, such as calling for medical assistance. Good Samaritan laws around the country differ on their specifics, but they all provide some degree of protection or immunity from prosecution for a person caught violating a drug law in the context of seeking medical attention. With the new Maryland law, an overdose victim and any Good Samaritan helping them can’t be prosecuted for possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia, or for being intoxicated. (It will not protect someone ...
Source: NIDA Drugs and Health Blog - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: blogs