Media, PA - 7 de diciembre 2021 - Hoy en día, Pennsylvania Departamento de Programas de Drogas y Alcohol (DDAP) Secretario Jennifer Smith se unió al senador Kane, Fiscal de Distrito Jack Stollsteimer, Representante Craig Williams, y representantes de las agencias del Condado de Delaware y centros de tratamiento para una conferencia de prensa destacando la importancia de la Ley del Buen Samaritano de Pennsylvania.
Las sobredosis han aumentado drásticamente; 2020 vio un aumento del 30% en las muertes por sobredosis en comparación con 2019. Pensilvania es actualmente el octavo estado con más muertes por sobredosis de drogas per cápita. En 2020, más de 5,000 residentes de Pensilvania perdieron la vida por sobredosis de drogas. Concienciar sobre la Ley del Buen Samaritano de Pensilvania tiene implicaciones que salvan vidas.
"En el último año me he reunido con electores para hablar de la crisis de los opioides. He hablado con padres que han perdido hijos, padres que tienen un asiento vacío en la mesa para el resto de sus vidas. Y me he reunido con padres que perdieron hijos por muertes evitables. En las sobredosis, unos minutos pueden marcar la diferencia entre salvar una vida y perder a un ser querido. La Ley del Buen Samaritano puede crear esa ventana que salva vidas", dijo el senador John Kane.
Pennsylvania’s Good Samaritan Law provides immunity from prosecution when an individual calls 911 in a good faith effort to aid an individual who is overdosing. An individual who comes into contact with law enforcement officers as a result of these calls will not face prosecution. The Good Samaritan Law also provides immunity for individuals who make a good faith effort to administer Narcan (naloxone), a medication used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose.
“While naloxone is absolutely critical in saving lives, it is only one piece of responding to an overdose,” said Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith. “I encourage everyone to spread the word about Pennsylvania’s Good Samaritan Law and the protections it provides for individuals who call 911 when witnessing an overdose emergency. Fear of charges or prosecution should never hold anyone back from calling for help and ultimately someone’s life.”
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer highlighted the partnership between law enforcement and addiction treatment in Delaware County, noting that every single officer in Delaware County carries Narcan (naloxone). “I applaud Secretary Smith and Senator Kane for shining a light on the important protections offered by the Good Samaritan Law,” said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. “My office, together with the support of our partners in County government, have worked hard to ensure that we get Narcan into the hands of those who need it. But as the overdose statistics make clear, we must do more. We must educate the public that if they witness an overdose, they can call for help without fear of prosecution.”
“Calling 911 more is more than just reporting an overdose and requesting an ambulance; it’s an opportunity to get life-saving medical advice like how to perform CPR or give Narcan over the phone,” said Tim Boyce, director of Delaware County Emergency Services.
Representative Craig Williams shared his own story of losing his brother to an overdose last year. “I am always proud to work with Senator Kane on addiction issues. He and I both have important personal stories to tell and use in our joint public service. I am grateful to him for his leadership on today’s issue involving Good Samaritan laws and awareness,” said Rep. Craig Williams. “I never want us to lose an addict to overdose, especially when someone nearby may be able to render aid or assistance. Those Good Samaritans need to know that we will protect them from civil and criminal liability as a consequence of simple helping someone else. Our common humanity demands that we help each other. Full stop.”
Dawn Troutt also shared a personal story of loss. Her son died of a fentanyl overdose in 2019; it was 20 minutes before anyone called 911. “That’s the empty chair that all of the parents and family members have to look at every holiday, every birthday, knowing that it’s never going to be filled,” she said, pointing to a chair with a memorial t-shirt honoring her son.
The event was hosted at Mirmont Treatment Center, the alcohol and drug treatment center for Main Line Health. Jessica Molavi, Mirmont’s Clinical Director of Specialty Programming, emphasized the importance and availability of treatment. “There is hope. As long as there is breath in your body, there is hope,” said Jessica Molavi.
A full recording of the event can be found at www.facebook.com/SenatorJohnKane.