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Massena police chief, St. Lawrence County district attorney remind residents of protection for reporting drug overdose

Posted 10/15/13

Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier and St. Lawrence County District Attorney Nicole Duve are reminding residents of a law that offers limited protection from criminal charges when reporting a drug …

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Massena police chief, St. Lawrence County district attorney remind residents of protection for reporting drug overdose

Posted

Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier and St. Lawrence County District Attorney Nicole Duve are reminding residents of a law that offers limited protection from criminal charges when reporting a drug overdose.

“Drug use is an unfortunate reality these days. With drug use comes abuse and the risk of overdose. We have seen evidence in our communities of families stricken by the needless loss of life due to overdose. New York State’s Good Samaritan Law is designed to encourage people to seek help for a suspected overdose victim by removing the threat of arrest and prosecution for the possession of small amounts of drug," Duve said in a released statement.

"My office is proud to work hand in hand with chief Currier and the Massena Drug-Free Coalition to spread the word about the Good Samaritan law and encourage people to call for help. Together we can all work to save lives.”

The 911 Good Samaritan immunity law offers no protection to people in possession of 8 ounces or more of narcotics, or to those who sell drugs, including marijuana.

Therefore, those individuals are not protected from arrest and prosecution. However, judges can consider lesser sentences for persons who seek medical attention for overdose victims even if the full immunity provisions do not apply to them.

"We know the drug problem in our community has grown in recent years. To effectively deal with it enforcement and prevention efforts must go hand in hand," Currier said.

"We also must ensure that deaths caused by overdose are prevented when possible and this law goes a long way in that effort by allowing those with small amounts of drugs to call 911 and save someone's life without fear of prosecution."