News recently broke that DC Mayor Vincent Gray signed the “Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Amendment Act of 2012,” which would give people limited immunity from arrest and prosecution for calling 911 during a perceived drug overdose – even if they possess small amounts of drugs or alcohol.

The legislation has been overwhelmingly supported by DC residents, advocates, residents, students, and local AIDS organizations. In DC, drug overdose is the second leading cause of accidental death (second only to traffic accidents), and this legislation is one way of lowering overdose related-deaths in DC. In fact, reports show that the fear of arrest frequently prevents people from calling 911 when witnessing an overdose.

“The District has the highest rate of drug use in the nation, so residents are especially at risk of experiencing a life-threatening overdose, and hundreds of residents have been lost in recent years,” said Grant Smith, federal policy coordinator with the Drug Policy Alliance. “This law will encourage residents to seek medical help for people who urgently need it. “

The legislation is now set to be reviewed by the US Congress as required by federal law.

Currently ten states have already passed Good Samaritan or similar laws that aim to prevent drug overdoses (California, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Washington State).

Congratulations, DC!

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