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Good Samaritan Law

Good Samaritan Law

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 90-96.2
A person who, acting in good faith calls for help for another person experiencing a drug-related overdose and
Reasonably believes they are the first person to call for help
Provides their own name to emergency personnel
Did not call for help during the execution of a warrant or other lawful search is immune from prosecution for certain controlled substances crimes or possession or use of drug paraphernalia, so long as the evidence for the charge was discovered because the person called for help.
The person who calls for help cannot be subject to arrest or revocation of pretrial release, probation, parole, or post-release; however, the person’s probation officer may still drug test the person on pretrial release, probation, or parole.
These protections and restrictions also apply to the person who overdosed.
If one is aware that the victim and caller are protected from prosecution in the event of an overdose, many deaths from opioid misuse disorder and substance abuse can be prevented. The NC 911 Good Samaritan Laws state that individuals who experience a drug overdose or persons who witness an overdose and seek help for the victim can no longer be prosecuted for possession of small amounts of drugs, paraphernalia, or underage drinking.

View the Good Samaritan Law (PDF)

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