Good Samaritan Resolution Wins Council Approval
Statement urges the General Assembly to override governor's veto of measure allowing treatment rather than punishment for drug overdose victims and those who help them.
By unanimous vote, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council approved a resolution at its Tuesday night business meeting at Town Hall urging the New Jersey legislature to once again take up the Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act. The measure would offer limited immunity from prosecution to those who suffer a drug overdose and to those who call 911 while trying to assist someone experiencing a drug overdose. The legislation, with bipartisan support, was passed by both the General Assembly and the state Senate last year. But in October, Gov. Christie vetoed the bill and instead called for an 18-month period to research the issue further. The council's act makes Parsippany the 11th New Jersey town officially to pass a resolution asking …
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Kevin Guhl
10:14 am on Sunday, January 20, 2013
I think the idea here is to save lives, for a person who has overdosed or their loved ones to be able to call for help without much fear of reprisal. Even if the person who has overdosed has illegally used the drugs (as pointed out by Clyde Donovan), their life should take precedence. Not sure why Christie would veto this. more ›