FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 18, 2011 CONTACT: Sean Barry, 646.373.3344, sean@vocal-ny.org Evan Goldstein, 917.349.6267, egoldstein@drugpolicy.

org

New 911 Good Samaritan Law to Prevent Overdose Deaths Takes Effect; New Yorkers Encouraged To Call 911 If They Are The Witness Or Victim Of An Overdose Elected Officials and Community Members Urge NYPD and Law Enforcement to Effectively Implement the New Law
New York An important new law called 911 Good Samaritan goes into effect today with the aim of preventing drug and alcohol overdose deaths. The law, passed with bipartisan and near unanimous support, was signed by Governor Cuomo on July 20th. The law encourages people to call 911 if they experience or witness a drug or alcohol overdose without fear of criminal charge and prosecution for possessing small quantities of drugs or alcohol (if they are a minor). Elected officials joined advocates on the steps of City Hall today to educate New Yorkers about the new law and ask the NYPD to cooperate with them to ensure effective implementation. Governor Cuomo acknowledged concerns within the law enforcement community in his signing statement, but wrote that the benefit to be gained by this bill saving lives must be paramount. "Most overdose deaths are preventable if emergency services are contacted immediately," said Assembly Health Committee chair Richard N. Gottfried, sponsor of the bill. "The number one reason people don't call for emergency services for an overdose is fear of getting arrested. We want to end drug and alcohol abuse, but not by having overdose victims die. The whole point of ending drug and alcohol abuse is to protect life, not destroy it." Council Member Stephen Levin also spoke. Overdose deaths can be prevented if emergency services are contacted soon enough, but most people do not call 911 because they are afraid of being arrested. New York is only the fourth and the largest state to adopt a 911 Good Samaritan law to reverse the fatal overdose epidemic. When my girlfriend overdosed, I called 911 because I didnt want her die, explained Elizabeth Owens, a VOCAL-NY leader. But I hesitated because I thought it would mean sacrificing my freedom if the police found drugs on use. Many people dont follow

through and make that call because theyre afraid of what the police will do when they arrive. This new law can be a life-saving tool, but only if the police understand it and get the public to trust them. I applaud the Governor and New York State Legislature for passing this life-saving law. New Yorks 911 Good Samaritan law can serve as the national model if implemented correctly, said Evan Goldstein, policy coordinator of the Drug Policy Alliance. New Yorkers are now armed with a powerful tool that will save lives because drug overdose is treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one. Overdose is a serious health issue for New York. Accidental overdose deaths are the leading cause of accidental death in New York State, exceeding even motor vehicle accidents. In New York City, accidental drug overdose is the 4th leading cause of early death, after heart disease, cancer and HIV/AIDS; and the third leading cause of all death among NYC residents ages 25 to 34. There was a 20% increase in overdose deaths due to prescription drug use between 2004 and 2009, according to a recent report by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). ###