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Why NOLA Needs a Good Samaritan Law

Overdose fatality rates are expanding in Louisiana and across the nation. The last national study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 15 people per 100,000 people die of overdose yearly in the state of Louisiana – one of the highest rates in the nation.
Fortunately, overdose deaths are preventable through public education campaigns and simple, cost-free legislation. 911 Good Samaritan laws can encourage witnesses to an overdose to call emergency services to save a life without fear of repercussions. Greater access to naloxone, whether through law enforcement programs, prescriber education or training for friends and family of an opioid user, will save lives with a drug that is safe, effective, and has no potential for abuse.
As this March 18, 2013 Nola.com story demonstrates, 911 Good Samaritan laws are needed in Louisiana now more than ever.  Ms. Johnson would likely not be in prison now, and Mr. Harrison would not have lost his life, had Ms. Johnson not been afraid to “seek emergency assistance because she was scared about getting in trouble.”
WWAV stands with women like Ms. Johnson in speaking her truth, and we want everyone in our network to hear it.  This was our strategy with the NO Justice Campaign – we slowed down to hear what the community was telling us, allowed them the space to tell their stories, and organized from there.

That is what we’re doing again around the 911 Good Samaritan laws.  We’re working from the ground up to encourage the Louisiana legislature to join states like Alaska, California, Colorado  Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington who already have Good Samaritan laws on the books. And we are hopeful that our bill will be introduced in the next legislative session.
Overdoses are preventable.  And calling to prevent them should not be a crime!
Here’s how you can advance the fight:
  • Encourage doctors to prescribe naloxone to patients using prescription opioids; to prescribe standing order naloxone to lay persons; and to better educate their patients about the risks inherent to opioid analgesics.
  • Support public education initiatives to foster awareness of any overdose policy reforms and improve cooperation with ambulance and law enforcement services.
  • Develop and deliver overdose trainings and education campaigns targeted at the general population, family practice providers, registered nurses, pharmacists and other medical personnel.
  • Provide Education in prevention and overdose reversal to people residing in homeless shelters and to individuals prior to their release from jails, prisons, residential treatment and detoxification programs.
  • Increase awareness about overdose prevention, recognition and response among high school and college students
  • Provide overdose prevention, recognition and response education at methadone clinics and all syringe exchange programs.

 

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