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By Justin Goulet

Provincial RCMP reminding residents about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act

Aug 31, 2019 | 11:12 AM

Edmonton, AB – The Alberta RCMP is reminding residents that it’s okay to call emergency services if you see someone overdosing, even if you know them.

According to an RCMP-issued release, there were 1,971 deaths in Alberta that have been attributed to apparent opioid-related overdoses between January 2016 and December of 2018.

Mounties say that in some of those cases, it’s believed that bystanders, friends or family of the victims could have called emergency services but were hesitant to do so for fear of any legal repercussions.

Now, RCMP is reminding people of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. This provides some legal protections for people who experience or witness an overdose and call 911 or their local emergency service for help.

LEGAL PROTECTION

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The Act applies to not only people witnessing an overdose, but the person overdosing as well. It protects the person who seeks help, whether they stay or leave the scene, as well as anybody else who is at the scene when help arrives.

It can protect you from:

· Charges for possession of a controlled substance under section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

· Consequences of breach of conditions regarding simple possession of controlled substances in: pre-trial release, probation orders, conditional sentences and parole

The RCMP says it’s important to note that the Act does not offer legal protection against more serious offences such as production and trafficking of controlled substances and all other crimes not outlined within the Act.

Mounties are also reminding people to stay at the scene of an overdose until medical assistance arrives. Witnesses can also help by administering naloxone to the person overdosing, if it’s available, providing first aid (including CPR) and staying calm and reassuring the victim that help is on the way.

For more information on the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, visit the Government of Canada’s website here and here.