Carson Praises Passage of Good Samaritan Bill into Law

Today, a law was adopted that grants immunity from arrest or conviction for individuals seeking medical assistance for drug overdose victims.

“This law, referred to as the “good Samaritan law,” is important because it encourages individuals present during an opioid or heroin overdose to call for life-saving medical assistance for overdose victims, granting them immunity from arrest in these instances,” said state Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry. “The intent of this law is to save the lives of overdose victims and this legislation takes another step towards addressing the heroin and opioid crisis that has affected communities across the state.”

The Legislative budget that was vetoed by Gov. Hassan, she noted, was another important step in addressing this epidemic as it would have increased funding by 75 percent for treatment and prevention of drug and alcohol addiction. It is unfortunate that this funding will not reach our communities until a budget is passed.

“I hope the legislature will continue to bring forward long-term solutions to end this critical drug epidemic in our state,” concluded Carson.

In a statement, Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, explained that she approved the bill because it would “build on those efforts and help us save lives by encouraging people to seek emergency medical assistance for themselves or others without fearing prosecution for possession,” adding that legislators from both parties narrowed the scope of the bill to address the concerns of law enforcement agencies and the NH AG.

“The rising rate of heroin and opioid overdoses is one of the most pressing public health and safety challenges facing our state, requiring a multi-pronged approach of prevention, treatment and recovery to address,” she said. While we work to strengthen our prevention and treatment efforts through measures like our bipartisan health care expansion plan, we must also do everything that we can to save lives when an overdose takes place, including our efforts to increase the safe and effective use of Narcan.”