Tea Time
01-05-2008, 04:02 PM
This has been around for a few months (active since June 07 2007) but I had not heard about it until just recently. I think that it is a FANTASTIC idea and that it could save hundreds or even thousands of lives. It makes me wonder why something like this wasn't enacted before. I am also disappointed to see that other states are not following New Mexico's lead.
New Mexico has a terrible drug problem and they also have one of the highest rates of drug overdoses, drug overdose deaths, and heroin-related overdose deaths. I personally think that it is refreshing to see a politician recognize a serious problem, identify the cause, and find a way to help fix it. Nothing against Bill Richardson, but on the flipside I also find it quite sad that I am applauding a politician for doing his job...
For those that are not familiar with the law, it was championed by Bill Richardson (the Governor of New Mexico) and he was instrumental in it passing. The legislation will offer protection in the form of limited immunity (which will include drug possession charges) for those that call 911 to seek medical attention for someone that has suffered from a drug overdose. I think that this is step in the right direction for this state and I think that it will result in many lives being saved. It is disheartening not to see other states or follow their lead. I also noticed that the media did not appear to cover this story - at the very least it wasn't well publicized. Here is one article and several links with some additional information regarding this legislation:
http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/final/SB0200.pdf
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/480/new_mexico_governor_signs_overdose_reduction_measu re
http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/NewMexico911GoodSamaritanFactSheet.pdf
http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/NewMexico911GoodSamaritanTalkingPoints.pdf
http://www.drugpolicy.org/about/stateoffices/newmexico/911/
Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico: 911 Good Samaritan Law
911 Good Samaritan Law
Reena Szczepanski
New Mexico has one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths in the nation. New Mexico policies should focus on saving the life of the overdose victim by encouraging witnesses of an overdose to call 911.
Starting June 15, 2007, a new law in New Mexico will help address the high rate of drug-related overdose deaths in our state by encouraging individuals to call 911.
Many witnesses to drug-related overdoses do not call 911 for fear of criminal punishment for drug use or possession. The 911 Good Samaritan law helps to eliminate some of the fear when calling 911 for help during an overdose. This new law provides limited immunity from drug possession charges when a drug-related overdose victim or a witness to an overdose seeks medical assistance.
The law does not protect people from prosecution for other offenses, including drug trafficking charges. This policy would not protect those with outstanding warrants, and would not interfere with law enforcement protocols to secure the scene of an overdose.
New Mexico is taking a practical stance in preventing these rising drug-related overdose death rates by encouraging overdose witnesses to call 911 and protecting witnesses who call emergency services from any potential police involvement/reprimand because of drug possession at the overdose location. Calling 911 should be the first response of those witnessing a drug-related overdose - not delay because of fear of the criminal justice system.
New Mexico is already seen as a national model on how a state can employ public health measures to consistently reduce drug overdoses and save lives, and the addition of this law only furthers the leadership of our state. New Mexico's nationally recognized overdose prevention measures continue to set the standard across the country by protecting witnesses who call emergency services to prevent an overdose fatality.
New Mexico has a terrible drug problem and they also have one of the highest rates of drug overdoses, drug overdose deaths, and heroin-related overdose deaths. I personally think that it is refreshing to see a politician recognize a serious problem, identify the cause, and find a way to help fix it. Nothing against Bill Richardson, but on the flipside I also find it quite sad that I am applauding a politician for doing his job...
For those that are not familiar with the law, it was championed by Bill Richardson (the Governor of New Mexico) and he was instrumental in it passing. The legislation will offer protection in the form of limited immunity (which will include drug possession charges) for those that call 911 to seek medical attention for someone that has suffered from a drug overdose. I think that this is step in the right direction for this state and I think that it will result in many lives being saved. It is disheartening not to see other states or follow their lead. I also noticed that the media did not appear to cover this story - at the very least it wasn't well publicized. Here is one article and several links with some additional information regarding this legislation:
http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/final/SB0200.pdf
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/480/new_mexico_governor_signs_overdose_reduction_measu re
http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/NewMexico911GoodSamaritanFactSheet.pdf
http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/NewMexico911GoodSamaritanTalkingPoints.pdf
http://www.drugpolicy.org/about/stateoffices/newmexico/911/
Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico: 911 Good Samaritan Law
911 Good Samaritan Law
Reena Szczepanski
New Mexico has one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths in the nation. New Mexico policies should focus on saving the life of the overdose victim by encouraging witnesses of an overdose to call 911.
Starting June 15, 2007, a new law in New Mexico will help address the high rate of drug-related overdose deaths in our state by encouraging individuals to call 911.
Many witnesses to drug-related overdoses do not call 911 for fear of criminal punishment for drug use or possession. The 911 Good Samaritan law helps to eliminate some of the fear when calling 911 for help during an overdose. This new law provides limited immunity from drug possession charges when a drug-related overdose victim or a witness to an overdose seeks medical assistance.
The law does not protect people from prosecution for other offenses, including drug trafficking charges. This policy would not protect those with outstanding warrants, and would not interfere with law enforcement protocols to secure the scene of an overdose.
New Mexico is taking a practical stance in preventing these rising drug-related overdose death rates by encouraging overdose witnesses to call 911 and protecting witnesses who call emergency services from any potential police involvement/reprimand because of drug possession at the overdose location. Calling 911 should be the first response of those witnessing a drug-related overdose - not delay because of fear of the criminal justice system.
New Mexico is already seen as a national model on how a state can employ public health measures to consistently reduce drug overdoses and save lives, and the addition of this law only furthers the leadership of our state. New Mexico's nationally recognized overdose prevention measures continue to set the standard across the country by protecting witnesses who call emergency services to prevent an overdose fatality.