Bill aimed to prevent drug overdoses passes

Posted by Press Release on September 24, 2014

The Senate unanimously approved legislation to help save lives in the case of drug overdoses, a bill expected to be signed by Gov. Tom Corbett.

During a speech last week before the Business and Professional Association of Western Delaware County, state Sen. Majority Leader Dominic F. Pileggi, R-9, predicted that the bill would mark one of the positive achievements of the legislative session.

Senate Bill 1164, which was introduced by Pileggi, establishes Good Samaritan immunity from prosecution for certain drug crimes to individuals who seek help when a friend or companion overdoses on drugs.

“Every area of Pennsylvania has seen the tragic impact of the heroin crisis,” said Pileggi in a press release. “It’s happening in Chester and Delaware Counties – my district – and it’s happening in every Senate district. Over the past five years, nearly 3,000 heroin-related overdose deaths have been identified in Pennsylvania.

Pileggi said he was first approached to introduce this legislation by Lynne Massi, a Chester County resident whose nephew, David J. Massi II of Upper Chichester, died of a multiple drug intoxication in January 2013, as well as Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan. He said that when Senate Bill 1164 is signed into law, it will be known as “David’s Law.”

The bill was amended in the House to add provisions allowing police and firefighters to be trained to carry naloxone, an anti-overdose drug also known as Narcan. The House amendments also expand access to naloxone for people at risk of overdosing, a family member, friend or other person in a position to assist a person at risk. Those who administer naloxone under the provisions of this law are also extended civil, criminal and professional immunity, the release said.

“The Good Samaritan/Narcan bill is an outstanding example of the legislature and law enforcement working together to help save lives,” said Hogan. “This law will encourage the friends of an overdose victim to stay with the victim and call for medical help. This law also will put Narcan in the hands of first responders in the critical first minutes of an overdose.”

Doug Hill, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, concurred. “This bill provides two critical tools that will save lives – first responder access to naloxone, and Good Samaritan immunity for someone who seeks assistance for another experiencing an overdose,” he said.

The bill affords immunity from certain drug crimes when law enforcement officers become aware of a person’s crime because that person reports or transports someone experiencing a drug overdose to a law enforcement agency, a campus security office, or a healthcare facility.