Legal Interventions to Reduce Overdose Mortality: Overdose Good Samaritan Laws

Overview

Drug overdose is a nationwide epidemic. Opioids, either alone or in combination with other drugs or alcohol, are responsible for the majority of these deaths. Opioid overdose is reversible through the timely administration of the medication naloxone. Overdose Good Samaritan laws can offer immunity from legal prosecution to those who seek emergency help for someone overdosing and are associated with an approximate 15 percent reduction in overdose deaths.

This resource provides information on Good Samaritan laws in each of the states where they exist.