HAVE YOU HEARD…..
About Georgia’s “Medical Amnesty Law”?
Don’t Run – Call 911!
Many may not know….on April 24, 2014, the Governor of Georgia signed House Bill 965, “Georgia 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law”. This law is meant to protect victims, themselves, and 9-1-1 callers who are seeking emergency medical care for an individual suffering from a potential drug overdose or alcohol poisoning. It provides limited immunity from arrest, charge, and prosecution for possession of certain drugs and drug paraphernalia. Such persons are also relieved from penalties for violations of protective and restraining orders, and violations of conditions of pretrial release, probation and parole if such penalties are “related to the seeking of medical assistance.” The caller and the victim cannot be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for small amounts of drugs, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia if the evidence was obtained as a result of seeking medical assistance. This is meant to discourage people from not involving the authorities or medical personnel in the event of an overdose, so that more lives can be saved!
So, should you ever find yourself in a situation where you are witnessing a possible overdose in whatever capacity regardless of the circumstances…. don’t run, call 9-1-1! All persons involved are protected. Life, health, and safety take priority!
For more information visit http://www.georgiaoverdoseprevention.org/
As a means of reducing access, if you would like to obtain Rx Drug Disposal packets to help with proper disposal of prescription medications and opioids in your household, you can text “MEDS” to 85775 or follow the link below!
Request Home RX Drug Disposal Packets
Resources
For Parents, For Teens, For Educators
Medication Abuse Prevention: Resource Guide