YSK about the 'Good Samaritan in Drug Overdose Act', a Canadian Law which provides some legal protection for individuals (or their friends) who seek emergency help during a drug overdose, and their American Counterparts: '911 Good Samaritan' laws in some states.

For Americans (Update):

This interactive site displays Samaritan laws by state (as of January 1 2007 to July 1, 2018). Much more up to date than my previous link.

I sincerely apologize for any misinformation I spread by not properly researching the previous link, I was not expecting this to blow up the way that it has, but I still should have looked into that more thoroughly. My baddest of bads.

Also, if you want to help bring good samaritan laws to your state, this website has a form letter. If you feel passionately about this issue in your home state, then please reach out.

Details on the law in Canada

link to the Canadian act.

The act can protect you from:

  • Charges for possession of a controlled substance (i.e. drugs) under section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Breach of conditions regarding simple possession of controlled substances (i.e. drugs) in:
    • pre-trial release
    • probation orders
    • conditional sentences
    • parole

The act does not protect you from:

  • outstanding warrants
  • production and trafficking of controlled substances
  • all other crimes not outlined within the act

Stay safe out there :).

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/EverythingEverybody
๐Ÿ“…︎ Mar 02 2019
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in the movie The Incredibles, Mr. Incredible saves a man who is committing suicide, and then gets sued for it. was he in the wrong under the good samaritan law?

i'm not sure what state he was in, nor the year this flashback sequence took place. i assume it was the late 70's/early 80's...

however my question isn't IF there were good samaritan laws in place, but whether or not he'd have a sound legal case, considering that it was non-consensual, and he broke the guy's neck in saving him.

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/aliendwin
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jul 20 2019
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Reminder that the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act has become law in Canada canada.ca/en/health-canadโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/chiodos
๐Ÿ“…︎ Aug 02 2017
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YSK you can legally call 911 to report crimes and emergencies while driving under Good Samaritan laws*

This particularly comes in handy if you notice a car ahead of you is being driven recklessly or you suspect DUI. A situation like this can be protected by Good Samaritan laws because you are acting in good faith without compensation and shouldn't be held liable while trying to keep other drivers safe.

*I learned today that this applies at least in Maine where handheld cellphone use while driving has recently been banned universally. I can't confirm this applies the same way to other states in the USA or different countries; please check your local laws or ask an official to clarify.

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/PeanutButterNachos
๐Ÿ“…︎ Oct 30 2019
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Good Samaritan laws?

Are there any Good Samaritan laws here in Japan to protect bystanders who attempt to administer first aid or other care in case of medical emergencies? I'm learning first aid right now but am not certain when it's legally appropriate to render aid.

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/rbp2Cp
๐Ÿ“…︎ Oct 26 2018
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Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act Becomes Law in Canada. The Act provides an exemption from charges related to simple possession for people who call 911 for themselves or another person suffering an overdose newswire.ca/news-releasesโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/cyanocittaetprocyon
๐Ÿ“…︎ May 05 2017
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When Akechi says that he believes the Phantom Thieves should be put on court, aren't they protected by the Good Samaritan Law?

To sum it up, the Good Samaritan law says that if you commit a crime while reasonably helping someone who is or who is believed to be injured, ill, or imperil, you're offered legal protection. What do you think?

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/SolantirMan
๐Ÿ“…︎ Feb 19 2020
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Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act becomes law in Canada globalnews.ca/news/342817โ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/rayski23
๐Ÿ“…︎ May 05 2017
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Good Samaritan Law Violated

So today I overdosed on .25mg of xanax and one bag of heroin (China white). I was with this girl and she saved my life. She had dope on her and needles, but she immediately called 911 regardless and performed CPR and saved my life.

So fast forward an hour, she meets me at the hospital saying they tore apart her car, took everything she had (including 25 dollars she got dor her birthday that was in an envolope). They then accused her of being a prostitute and kept telling her if I died shes going to jail for murder. They had a female officer full body search her (underwear, bra and all) in the middle of the parking lot. Not even in the privacy of the station.

The officer then informed her that she would receive felony possesion and paraphenelia charges in the mail. Isn't this a direct violation of the good Samaritan Law? I live in Pennsylvania where the law is in effect. I'm furious that they want to punish her for saving my life.

What can we do? I'm leaving for rehab today but I owe this girl big time. I want to do everything in my power to help her before i leave to treatment.

Tl;dr Girl saved my life by calling 911 for heroin overdose, police violate the law by searching her and charging her.

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/simon_le_pret
๐Ÿ“…︎ Oct 09 2018
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Police: "How do I follow the letter of the Good Samaritan law while still sticking it to addicts?" reddit.com/r/legaladvice/โ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/Senray
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jun 22 2018
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Good samaritan picks up after law-breaking litterer v.redd.it/svodm81i3vm41
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/RnY_metamorphosis
๐Ÿ“…︎ Mar 16 2020
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Delhi Govt. Passes Good Samaritan Law, To Award Rs. 2000 To Those Who Help Road Accident Victims thelogicalindian.com/storโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/doc_two_thirty
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jan 09 2017
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Why the fuck isnโ€™t the Good Samaritan Law nationwide?

Currently coming up on stims and feeling rant-y.

So why isnโ€™t this law nationwide? Is there any โ€œgoodโ€ reason? I wasnโ€™t even aware that it was a thing until I moved across the country to go to college and was informed about it during an alcohol safety class before the semester. I looked it up and my home state does not have that law, and I know from personal experience and friendsโ€™ experiences that in my home state of you call 911 to save someoneโ€™s life when drugs are involved, youโ€™re going to jail, and that means way fewer 911 calls and way more pointless deaths. Meanwhile here in my college town, you can be having a party with 15 people on ecstasy with coke across the coffee table and call 911 for an alcohol poisoning and the cops and EMTs donโ€™t give a flying fuck. I canโ€™t think of a good reason this isnโ€™t universal.

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/throwawawawaway1230
๐Ÿ“…︎ Sep 25 2019
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Good Samaritan Fatal Overdose Prevention Law. If you witness an overdose in these states and get medical attention for the person you will not get in trouble. ncsl.org/research/civil-aโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/throwaway88992054
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jun 09 2019
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Do Good Samaritan laws apply when a person acts to help without formal training or certification?

Recently I was upgrading my carโ€™s first aid kit and thought about adding a vented patch for sucking chest wounds. These patches are useful because you donโ€™t need to fashion one out of a plastic bag, and the vent reduces the risk of tension pneumothorax. Theyโ€™re fairly cheap and could be useful if in the rare case I come across someone with this type of injury.

But I personally havenโ€™t been trained or certified to treat sucking chest wounds. Basic first aid training doesnโ€™t include something like this. While I work on medical products as part of my job, I would not be considered a healthcare professional. Thereโ€™s a ton of accurate information online but (thankfully) thatโ€™s not enough to certify a person.

So it leads to an odd question - if someone possesses and uses a first aid medical product, without specific training or certification, but in the aim of preventing a personโ€™s death, would Good Samaritan laws protect them?

Iโ€™ve already decided to go for more advanced certification before buying one, so any responses wonโ€™t be used as actual legal advice. Live in MD but interested in how this might apply in your area.

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/SquircleTheWagons
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jun 15 2019
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Because of Good Samaritan laws there is no way, in real life, the guy at the beginning of the incredibles would have won that case.
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/sire_h
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jul 07 2018
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Anyone have a list of which states have good Samaritan laws?

I am currently 90 days clean from heroin, however over the past 2 years I have had two overdoses, one being a suicide attempt using 1 1/2 Gs of heroin. I was found on both ODs and and now have two charges for pharphenelia and felony possession. Hell, the od with the suicide attempt they only found the baggie which they say had "heroin residue" and charged me with the felony while I was in the ICU. I live in if. I have one charge from Missouri and one from Kansas. I read that 40 states have these laws where you can't be charged during an overdose in order to have people actually call medics during one and not to fear prosecution. However I can't seem to find if Missouri or la sad is part of that 40 that have the kaw.

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๐Ÿ“…︎ Jan 31 2019
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ULPT: Scared the cops are going to bust your underage drinking party? Have someone take one for the teamโ€ช and get alcohol poisoning. Then, beat the cops at their own game and call for help. Youโ€™ll be covered by your stateโ€™s Good Samaritan laws. โ€ฌ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/teenytinybaklava
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jun 24 2018
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My buddy, a Jew, tries to be a good Samaritan by saving an unconscious guy buckled in his burning truck. Upon closer inspection decides not to because the guy's covered in Nazi tattoos. What would the law say about that situation?

What if he said something like he did not feel he could save the guy without putting himself in greater danger than he had thought he would be in?

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/awesomo_prime
๐Ÿ“…︎ Sep 28 2019
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Why doesnt singapore have a good samaritan law?

Why not just implement it? I can't see any pitfalls and would like appreciate any sharings :)

This is in regards to being protected from legal liability when you give CPR, or donate food as an organisation etc

EDIT: just wanna clarify, good Samaritan laws apply to the field of citizen CPR very heavily.

But I was more focused in implementing good Samaritan laws to encourage companies to donate old goods and food without having to worry of being overly liable. (We waste A LOT of food and goods, and a large ton of it seems to occurs at the supplier side of the chain from my own findings so far.)

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/rexonology
๐Ÿ“…︎ Mar 14 2018
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What are your thoughts on good samaritan emergency number laws?

It's a law in Canada (and some areas of the United States) where if you dial 911 when someone's having a drug overdose, it protects the calling party from being charged with drug possession.

  • What are your thoughts on such a law?

  • Does your country have a similar law?

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/taksark
๐Ÿ“…︎ Mar 02 2019
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Missouri passes 'Good Samaritan' law ksdk.com/news/local/mo-laโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/PreventFalls
๐Ÿ“…︎ May 18 2017
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Parents of overdose victim push for a change to Virginia's 'Good Samaritan' law richmond.com/news/plus/paโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/Sailinger
๐Ÿ“…︎ Feb 01 2019
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Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act Becomes Law in Canada newswire.ca/news-releasesโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/luciennepage
๐Ÿ“…︎ May 04 2017
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Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act Becomes Law in Canada newswire.ca/news-releasesโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/WingsThings
๐Ÿ“…︎ May 04 2017
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Arrested after OD with only a syringe in WI after parents called paramedics/ don't count on the good samaritan law in WI

I feel like if they only have the syringe wouldn't they not be able to repeat the test if I wanted a confirmation considering it's already been in contact with reagent fluid which is notorious for false positives. It's such bs they are trying to give me 3 years of drug testing and counseling and if I fuck up i'm auto convicted. Has anyone else ever been in this situation with a deferred prosecution agreement? They say they want people to call the paramedics to save lives but the aided person is still criminally liable for what happens and now I have 3 years hanging over my head.

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/sweetb3rrywin3
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jun 19 2018
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Law Enforcement Officers, what is a time where a good samaritan/civilian actually made things better or worse?
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/DeltaOmegaTheta
๐Ÿ“…︎ Jul 24 2019
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[MO] ad in paper says "If you witness and overdose: don't run, call 911. Missouri's 'Good Samaritan' law protects people who call 911 from arrest and prosecution for possession of drugs." Does this mean the caller is exempt and has immunity from arrest?
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/Waxturi
๐Ÿ“…︎ Feb 01 2018
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Does Good Samaritan law apply to robots and automated equipment?

I know in the event of a life threatening event such as a fire a person attempting to help another is generally exempt from lawsuits from accidentally injuring another person while assisting or saving them. My question is, does this apply to automated equipment as well? A few examples could include

  • A glass shard from a sprinkler system
  • Fire suppression door hitting someone while closing
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/rcmaehl
๐Ÿ“…︎ May 03 2019
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Why does France (and some other European countries) have the โ€œGood Samaritanโ€ law where you are required by law to help someone if their life is in danger? Could this not lead to worse outcomes?
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/MaralinaSakura
๐Ÿ“…︎ Feb 22 2019
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Redditor repeats the old "no good samaritan laws" talking point, subsequently admits at least 40% of his China knowledge comes from Reddit comments reddit.com/r/iamatotalpieโ€ฆ
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/mcmanusaur
๐Ÿ“…︎ Oct 20 2019
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Is there no Good Samaritan laws in Asian countries?

I see comments about how how people in Asian countries will not help others because of the risk they could be sued if something happens.

Is this a rumour or myth?

Thanks

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/houck
๐Ÿ“…︎ Oct 18 2019
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Good Samaritan Laws

Sorry if this belongs in r/EMS, but I am asking here since I am a student and it's a topic that came up in class. I tried using the search function as well, but I didn't find much.

In my EMT-B class, the topic of Good Samaritan laws came up and my instructor (and the TAs, who are newer paramedics) insisted that they do not apply to EMS personnel whether on or off duty. Basically once you have this training, you are held to a higher standard than a typical citizen. Makes sense I guess, but she then went on to explain that if you help someone off duty, you could be sued into oblivion because you aren't covered by your employer's insurance (on duty) or the GS law. Everyone left the class with the idea that it probably isn't worth it to help people if you're not on duty.

Later, I looked into it myself and it seems that this is a persistent myth passed down throughout the EMS community. At least in my state (WI), it seems you are only not covered by GS when you receive compensation for performing care, i.e. on duty. Otherwise, you are covered the same as any other citizen.

Does anyone have any insight on this? On one hand, I think it's reckless to tell people that they could be sued for trying to help as it may convince them to ignore medical emergencies that they could help. To be clear, I'm not saying they have to stop or even should, but for situations where they want to help but are afraid to.

On the other hand, I think it would be reckless for me to tell people they are, in fact, covered by GS if I am mistaken/misunderstanding the law.

Tl;dr Are EMS personnel covered by Good Samaritan laws while off duty?

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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/Oeod
๐Ÿ“…︎ Mar 25 2018
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What is your opinion on Good Samaritan Laws for Drug Overdose?
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๐Ÿ‘ค︎ u/NOVAjunior
๐Ÿ“…︎ Nov 30 2018
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