Advocates are eager for clarity on the Good Samaritan law amid concerns over arrests during overdose calls
Saskatchewan: So, there’s this big case going on in Canada that could really shake things up for the Good Samaritan law. You know, the one that’s supposed to protect folks from getting arrested when they call 911 for someone who’s overdosed? Well, advocates are hoping the Supreme Court will clear things up.
On Tuesday, the court will dive into whether police can arrest people at the scene of an overdose. This all started with a guy named Paul Wilson, who got arrested back in 2020 after he called for help when someone in his group overdosed on fentanyl.
DJ Larkin, a lawyer and head of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, says Wilson did the right thing by calling for help. But when the cops showed up, they found drugs and arrested him. Then, they found even more stuff during a search, leading to more charges.
Larkin argues that the Good Samaritan law is meant to protect people like Wilson from being arrested for trying to save a life. A bunch of drug policy groups are stepping in to help clarify the law’s intent, hoping to make it clear that calling for help should be safe.
These groups, including the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, believe the court’s decision could change the game for anyone who calls 911 during an overdose. It’s a big deal, and everyone’s watching closely.
