Fighting Drug Overdoses, "Good Samaritan" Laws

New York state last week became the largest state in the nation to adopt a “Good Samaritan” law to fight overdose. The law bars arrests and prosecution for personal possession of drugs, paraphernalia or underage drinking when someone calls for help to save the life of an overdose victim, according to Time Magazine.

Overdose—now the leading cause of accidental death in New York and the number one injury-related killer of adults 35-54—is responsible for some 28,000 annual deaths nationally.

Washington state, Connecticut and New Mexico have all passed Good Samaritan laws to protect helpers in these circumstances and they are under consideration in California, Illinois and Nebraska. In New York, the bill had bipartisan sponsorship and passed nearly unanimously, reported Time.

To read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/07/29/new-york-state-passes-good-samaritan-law-to-fight-overdose/#ixzz1TrtTiWKR