New Washington law encourages drug OD 911 calls

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.