good Samaritan law Archives

The Authors’ Own Words:

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Knowledge of the 911 Good Samaritan Law and 911-calling behavior of overdose witnesses

Andrea Jakubowski MD; Hillary V. Kunins MD, MPH; Zina Huxley-Reicher BA; & Anne Siegler DrPH

Substance Abuse Vol. 39, Iss. 2, 2018

“We hope that our finding that knowledge of the 911 Good Samaritan Law is associated with bystanders calling 911 in response to witnessed overdose will encourage states to pass legislation that protects drug overdose victims and witnesses seeking help from arrest and prosecution for drug related charges. It is also noteworthy that participant knowledge of the Good Samaritan Law increased with repeated education, suggesting that overdose prevention refresher trainings and public information campaigns about the law may be important strategies to achieving widespread knowledge of it. Finally, our finding that lay-person naloxone administration was not associated with a reduction in the rate of bystanders calling 911 should allay concerns that naloxone distribution deters use of emergency medical services.”