Washington Enacts New Overdose Prevention Law

http://www.jointogether.org/blog/posts/2010/washington-enacts-new.html  

 

Jun 09, 2010 11:25 AM EDT by Bob Curley

Tomorrow (June 10) is the effective date of a new law in Washington state that supporters hope will save the lives of overdose victims. The state’s new “911 Good Samaritan Law” (PDF) provides witnesses to drug overdoses with limited immunity from prosecution if they call for help –- a policy change that public-health experts say can make drug users more willing to seek aid for overdose victims.  

The law also protects overdose victims from being charged with possession and expands access to the anti-overdose drug naloxone (Narcan). Victims and callers can still be charged with other crimes, however, such as drug manufacture and delivery and parole violations.  

The StopOverdose.org website has complete details…