A California anti-drug activist says lawmakers must stop catering to addicts and start coming up with solutions that prevent drug-related deaths.
Come January 1, 2013, Californians who call 9-1-1 for a drug overdose or seek help for others who overdose will be protected with limited immunity from prosecution. Assembly Bill 472, authored by Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, will prohibit the arrest of a witness who calls for help in overdose cases. Under the law, those who possess drug paraphernalia would also be granted immunity.
Roger Morgan of the Coalition for a Drug Free California thinks lawmakers should attack the issue from a different angle.
"Rather than keep coddling the addicts and passing laws that spread addiction, they really need to look at prevention," he suggests. "We have 3,400 Americans dying monthly … just of drug overdose, and that doesn't include all drug-related causes, or it would be probably four times that many."
The Sacramento Bee notes that Ammiano's measure is meant to encourage people to call 9-1-1 in overdose cases without the fear of arrest.
The law would not grant immunity for drug offenses, drug sales or operating a vehicle while under the influence.