New York state's new “911 Good Samaritan Law” took effect on September 18, 2011, becoming the 4th state to enact such a law. The law encourages people to call 911 if they experience or see a drug or alcohol overdose, without fear of being charged with possessing small amounts of drugs. The New York law is designed to prevent deaths from drug and alcohol overdoses -- research has found that a majority of people who witness a drug overdose are hesitant to call 911 because they fear being arrested for drug possession.
Washington State's 911 Good Samaritan Law took effect in June 2010. New Mexico and Connecticut have also enacted a Good Samaritan Law. [watch news video]
