June 7, 2010 in City

New Washington law encourages drug OD 911 calls

The Spokesman-Review
 
Tags:2010 Washington Legislature911 Good SamaritanDanielle McCarthydrugsEcstasyoverdoseoverdose deaths

OLYMPIA — A new law that takes effect Thursday in Washington aims to encourage people to report drug overdoses.

The Daily Herald of Everett reports the “911 Good Samaritan” law grants limited immunity to people who call for help. The idea is to get medical attention in time to prevent an overdose death.

Under the law, people will not be charged with drug possession if police obtained evidence because of the 911 call.

The law was prompted by the death of a 16-year-old Puyallup girl, Danielle McCarthy, at an Edmonds hospital. She died on Jan. 1, 2007, after taking Ecstasy at a New Year’s Eve party. She was not taken to a hospital until she was turning blue, and it was too late.

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One comment on this story so far. Add yours!

  • dallison on June 07 at 5:31 p.m.

    Overdose deaths are just another form of natural selection.

    Why give people immunity for knowingly breaking the law by taking illegal and potentialy life altering or deadly substances?

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