Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are raising awareness about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act.<\/p>\n
The federal government introduced this law in 2017, due to the growing number of overdoses, especially fatal overdoses, across the country.<\/p>\n
Const. Kirk MacDonald with Wellington County OPP said a lot of the fatal overdoses have to do with the increase use of opioids, in particular fentanyl.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was happening is that individuals would panic or be concerned that they would get in trouble if a friend or someone they were with had an overdose, and as a result they would leave without contacting anybody for help, and sadly, often times people would pass away,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
MacDonald said this law protects individuals from any sort of prosecution if they call for help, stay and assist someone that is experiencing an overdose.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn regards to possessing any drugs that are found at the scene, or for violating any conditions of a person\u2019s parole or probation when it comes to simple drug possession,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
MacDonald said the number one priority is that we preserve life, and that takes a priority over any sort of drug charges.<\/p>\n
But Const. MacDonald said there are some exceptions to this law.<\/p>\n
\u201c[\u2026] The law will not protect someone, for example, for trafficking illegal drugs, or any other offences other than drug possession, or any outstanding warrants,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
MacDonald said often times there\u2019s a stigma when it comes to drug use.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019re finding is that sometimes people always think somebody that is having a drug overdose a criminal or somebody that might have been living on the streets. But the reality is, we are responding to overdoses with all walks of life,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
MacDonald added that sometimes the situation is an accidental overdose.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that could be simply from either mixing prescription pills or taking something with the prescription, like alcohol for example,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
He said the other thing that OPP often sees is someone might be using what they believe to be a drug, such as methamphetamine or cocaine, but they don\u2019t realize it\u2019s actually mixed with fentanyl.<\/p>\n
MacDonald said just two milligrams of pure fentanyl, about the size of 4 grains of salt, is enough to kill an adult.<\/p>\n
He added that the main message the OPP wants to get out, is that if you see an overdose, call 911, and ensure someone gets the help that they need.<\/p>\n
Const. Kirk MacDonald with Wellington County OPP:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n