In 2014, Governor Nathan Deal signed the Good Samaritan 911 Medical Amnesty Bill into law which provides limited prosecution immunity to anyone who seeks emergency medical help for an overdose victim. The Bill also allows first responders to carry Narcan. Narcan (Naloxone) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of an opioid overdose or a possible opioid overdose. www.stopoverdoses.com
Georgia’s Medical Amnesty Law protects victims and callers seeking medical assistance at drug or alcohol overdose scenes. The law was passed to help save lives by encouraging friends and families to call for help. Help spread the word about the Medical Amnesty Law by talking with your friends and family about the importance of calling 911 for overdoses when a person is not responsive. Minutes count, so don’t run, call 911. If you suspect opioid overdose, stay with the victim until help arrives.
See more at the link: Background and Law by Drug Free Hall County GA
YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE BY FOLLOWING THESE THREE STEPS:
Many times, a friend or family member is the first person to realize that someone has overdosed. Because time is so critical to saving the victim’s life, it’s important to take action when you suspect opioid overdose.
Knowing what to do if someone overdoses is especially important if someone in your family:
- Is taking or abusing an opioid medication, or if you know they are abusing alcohol or another drug
- Is recovering from addiction, since relapses sometimes happen and the person’s tolerance may have dropped making him or her more at-risk for overdose.
Of course if someone is not responding, it is normal to be frightened and unable to think clearly. That’s why you need to prepare ahead of time.
- Watch the training video several times – invite other family members to watch with you.
- Purchase naloxone and keep it with you, Naloxone is available in Georgia without an individual prescription and can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids.
- Download the 3 STEPS instructions to your phone so you will have them with you in case of an emergency.
SIGNS OF OVERDOSE WHICH OFTEN RESULT IN DEATH IF NOT TREATED:
- Face is extremely pale and/or clammy to the touch
- Body is limp
- Fingernails or lips have a blue or purple cast
- The patient is vomiting or making gurgling noises
- He or she cannot be awakened from sleep or is unable to speak
- Breathing is very slow or stopped
- Heartbeat is very slow or stopped.
Training for the 3 Steps to Save A Life
A Dramatic Performance from The Gainesville Theatre Alliance:
Georgia’s Medical Amnesty Law can give amnesty from arrest for both the caller and the victim in the case of a medical emergency, so don’t be afraid to call for help.
Download PDF with instructions at the link. It will take you off this website to drugfreehall.org
http://drugfreehall.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/3StepsToSaveALifeOpioidOverdose.pdf