RENFREW COUNTY (Pembroke) — August 31 was International Overdose Aware Day and the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind everyone of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (GSDOA) which became law in 2017. The GSDOA provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose. The intention of the GSDOA is to reduce the fear of police attending those overdose events and encourage people to seek life-saving assistance and stay with the victim in the event of an overdose. Even if you’ve take drugs or have some on you, the GSDOA can protect you.
The GSDOA applies to anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose, including the person experiencing an overdose. It protects the person who seeks help, whether they stay or leave from the overdose scene before help arrives. The GSDOA also protects anyone else who is at the scene when help arrives.
The GSDOA provides protection for charges against:
- Possessing drugs for your own use
- Violating conditions of your parole, bail, probation or conditional sentence for a simple drug possession charge
The GSDOA does not provide protection against charges for:
- Trafficking illegal drugs
- Offences other than drug possession
- Any outstanding arrest warrants
- Violating conditions of your parole, bail, probation or conditional sentence for an offence that is not simple possession
The OPP recognizes the importance of the GSDOA and saving lives. For more information visit www.opp.ca/overdose.
