Pubdate: Fri, 22 Mar 2002
Source: Centre Daily Times (PA)
Copyright: 2002 Nittany Printing and Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact:  http://www.centredaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/74
Author: Robert Field
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n486/a03.html

DRUG-ARREST-FREE ZONES

Bob Unger's column, "The thinking behind a drug death story," (March 
17) sadly misses the point.

Usually, there is a three-hour period between the time someone shows 
signs of overdosing and when he or she dies. If the problem was a 
heart attack or appendicitis, the patients would be rushed to the 
hospital and be receiving medical care well within an hour. But with 
overdose cases from abuse of illegal drugs, friends and the patient 
are terrified of seeking help for fear of arrest and Draconian terms 
of incarceration.

Hospital emergency wards should be made drug-arrest-free zones. The 
only questions asked of the good Samaritans should relate to 
information that will assist in treatment.

Robert Field

Co-Chair, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Lancaster
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MAP posted-by: Josh