Does anyone remember that scene in the movie, Pulp Fiction, where John Travolta's character is with a woman (Uma Thurman)who is overdosing on heroin and he tries to get help? He brings the woman to his drug dealer's house and his drug dealer does not want anyone overdosing at his home because of the possible legal problems involving the police. He tells John Travolta's character to take the woman to the hospital and get a lawyer.
Drug overdoses are among the most common causes of accidental deaths in the United States and this number would be significantly lower if people could make 911 calls to help rescue someone who is overdosing or take someone who is overdosing to the hospital without fear of being prosecuted and going to jail for drug charges.
The Washington State House of Representatives recently passed SB 5516. This bill will insulate both the person who is overdosing and the person seeking medical assistance on behalf of the person who is overdosing from illegal drug possession charges. New Mexico is the only other state in the U.S. that has a law like this.
Once the bill is signed into law by the Governor, people will no longer have to weigh the risks of going to jail for dug possession against the risk of losing a life. The new law only protects Good Samaritans and those who are overdosing from being charged with drug possession; it does not insulate them from charges of manufacturing a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, or any other criminal charges.
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