October, 2019
Good Samaritan Overdose Laws
When responding to a suspected overdose, a common concern is whether someone will be held legally responsible or risk arrest for administering Naloxone (Narcan) to reverse the overdose. To address this concern and reaffirm the importance of giving Naxolone to prevent overdose deaths, many states and Tribes have adopted a Good Samaritan Overdose Law. Good Samaritan Overdose Laws are exactly as they sound: Laws to protect people who respond to an overdose and administer Naloxone in good faith.

Check out the resources below to learn more about Good Samaritan Overdose Laws and visit the Indian Country ECHO's Substance Use Disorder: Community Resources webpage to view past newsletters!
Promising Practices in Indian Country
In 2014, the Tulalip Tribe began developing their own version of the Good Samaritan Overdose Law called the Lois Luella Jones Law . A Tulalip News article , dated June 17, 2014, provides background on the profound effect overdose deaths have had on the tribal community, particularly that of Lois Luella Jones' son, and how the Law came to be adopted. Jones' son stresses the importance of the Law not punishing people who use drugs or whom respond to an overdose, but rather that it's about saving the lives of loved ones.

To learn more, click on the above image to read the full Tulalip News article . To view additional details on whom the Law protects, read this additional Tulalip News article .

If you're unsure if your tribe or a tribe near you has a Good Samaritan Overdose Law, contact your local tribal police or tribal affairs office to learn more.
Good Samaritan Overdose Laws , also referred to as 911 drug immunity laws, are laws that were developed to protect individuals who respond to a suspected overdose by administering Naloxone from legal responsibility. This may include protecting an individual from arrest, charges or prosecution. Depending on the state, it can also include immunity from legal charges for being in possession of drug paraphernalia or substances. Laws and the protections they provide vary from state to state. While not all states currently have a Good Samaritan Overdose Law, over 30 states do, and that number continues to grow.

To learn more about Good Samaritan Overdose Laws of each state, click the above image above or visit the National Conference of State Legislatures webpage to learn more.
Upcoming Events & Educational Opportunities
October:












November:
Join the Substance Use Disorder ECHO clinic , held the 1 st & 3 rd Thursday of every month at 11am PST. The 1 hour clinics include the opportunity to present cases, receive recommendations & become part of a learning community. Visit the teleECHO Clinic website to learn more.
To submit an article for the November newsletter or share upcoming events & educational opportunities, email [email protected] with the subject line "Opioid Response Newsletter" by October 15 th .