Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jun 2005 Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI) Section: Pg A12 Copyright: 2005 Madison Newspapers, Inc. Contact: http://www.madison.com/wsj/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506 Author: Stephanie Rearick LET AMNESTY ENCOURAGE OVERDOSE TREATMENT If a drug user overdoses, friends and fellow drug users should be encouraged to take the patient to medical treatment without fear of prosecution. The Progressive Dane Drug Policy Task Force has worked for years to find a way for law enforcement officials to offer amnesty to individuals who seek medical assistance when a friend, often a fellow intravenous drug user, is experiencing an overdose. Our concern is the circumstance in which people don't seek medical attention, because of fear of prosecution, and let others die. In a perfect world, individuals would always put saving a life over fear of personal consequences. But as we know, it's not a perfect world. In a situation where the people present are using intravenous drugs, it's hard to expect them to have clear heads about what to do in an emergency. Reasonable people can easily question the decisions made by Madison resident Scott Roberts leading up to the point at which his girlfriend overdosed on March 5. But, after the overdose, Roberts' decision to take his girlfriend to the emergency room was the right one. Unfortunately, this effort led to scrutiny by law enforcement officials. Roberts is now facing a $35,000 fine and up to 18 1/2years in prison on a charge of delivering heroin, a controlled substance. His girlfriend has been charged with possession of heroin, likely to help encourage her to provide information about Roberts. Our law enforcement officials continually reassure us that saving lives is their utmost priority. They claim that they almost never prosecute people who call 911 or otherwise seek medical attention in case of an overdose. But then a case like this comes along and "almost never" means nothing. Drug users see these events and realize that, yes, they are putting themselves in danger when they seek medical attention for their friends. Our law enforcement officers and local prosecutors need to make a policy that codifies the importance of saving lives over the importance of busting drug users. Many communities around the world are employing harm-reduction measures in regard to drug policy, often with great success. For example, communities providing prescription heroin to drug addicts are not only helping to dry up the illicit markets that continually recruit new customers but also preventing the spread of HIV and hepatitis C. We can take a simple baby step toward prioritizing public health by making a policy that tells users that, no matter what the circumstances, the act of helping to save a life will not be punished. Rearick is co-chair of the Progressive Dane Drug Policy Task Force. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth