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About this dataset:

Unintentional drug overdose is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Overdose bystanders may not call for medical assistance for fear of being arrested for drug-related crimes. In response, some states have enacted "Good Samaritan" laws that create immunities or other legal protections for people who call for help in the event of an overdose. Some states have passed comprehensive Good Samaritan overdose prevention laws that provide broad protection. Other states have passed laws that consider seeking medical assistance for a person experiencing an overdose as an affirmative defense, or as a mitigating factor during sentencing.

Please note, this map now appears on the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System at PDAPS.org.

Cited By

With a Little Help from My Friends: The Effects of Naloxone Access and Good Samaritan Laws on Opioid-Related Deaths

National Bureau of Economic Research
With a Little Help from My Friends: The Effects of Naloxone Access and Good Samaritan Laws on Opioid-Related Deaths
Daniel I. Rees, Joseph J. Sabia, Laura M. Argys, Joshua Latshaw & Dhaval Dave
Off
Rees

Dataset Created by
Policy Surveillance Program Staff

Dataset Maintained by
Policy Surveillance Program Staff

Dataset Valid From
January 1, 2007

Dataset Updated Through
June 1, 2021

Total Jurisdictions Covered
51

Collection
Law Atlas