Pubdate: Fri, 11 Apr 2014
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2014 Star Tribune
Contact: http://www.startribunecompany.com/143
Website: http://www.startribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266
Note: by Editorial Board, Star Tribune

WHEN GOOD SAMARITANS ARE ALSO HEROIN DEALERS

Grant Limited Immunity To Those Who Call For Help In Overdose Cases.

This potentially deadly scenario happens far too often these days in
Minnesota: A small group of friends gets together to get high, and
their preferred drug is heroin. Then one shows signs of an overdose,
and the others are afraid to act. They know having that drug is
illegal and fear that calling for help could get them arrested.

But making that call could potentially save a life. That's why
Minnesota needs a law that would provide arrest immunity for
lower-level drug users who report problems - and allow the use of an
effective antidote drug.

Sen. Chris Eaton, DFL-Brooklyn Center, is a registered nurse and
author of a bill that, with some revisions, could make that happen.
Her daughter, Ariel Eaton-Willson, died in 2007 of a heroin overdose
at age 23. The measure has been nicknamed "Steve's Law" after Steve
Rummler, who died of a heroin overdose in 2011. Similar laws around
the nation are also called "good Samaritan" statutes.

Instead of immediately calling for help, Eaton-Willson's friends
cleared out the car they were in, throwing away needles that could
have been used as evidence to convict them. Eaton believes that if
medical professionals had been called right away, her daughter's life
might have been saved.

There is near-universal agreement on the provision of her bill that
would allow first responders, law enforcement authorities and some
nonmedical professionals to administer Narcan, a drug that can quickly
counter the effects of a heroin overdose. Last week, the measure
sailed through the Senate unanimously with little discussion.

However, leading law enforcement officials and prosecutors are raising
legitimate concerns about the immunity provision in its present form.
As passed in the Senate, the proposed bill would grant blanket
immunity from arrest and prosecution to just about anyone at the scene
when first responders show up to help.

That level of immunity would be problematic for police and others who
need to arrest and prosecute drug dealers and try to get more illegal
drugs off the streets. It would also get in the way when a person's
condition of probation is to stay away from drugs or drug houses. If
they received immunity, that episode could not be counted as a
probation or parole violation.

John Kingrey, executive director of the Minnesota County Attorneys
Association, said his organization wholeheartedly supports the use of
Narcan to save lives. But the group has reservations about blanket
immunity. They've offered alternative language that better defines a
drug overdose and the conditions under which someone who reports an
overdose might not be arrested or prosecuted.

Kingrey believes immunity is reasonable for lower-level drug offenses.
But, he said, "when law enforcement happens upon a very chaotic scene,
not to allow law enforcement to place people under arrest until they
can sort through the facts is very troubling to us."

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek shares those concerns. He said
that he fully supports the idea of having his officers carry and use
Narcan and that he was an early proponent. But when blanket immunity
was later added on to the bill, he became concerned.

He said the compromise language - specifying that immunity would apply
only in cases of fourth-or fifth-degree possession offenses - is the
better option. Officers need to be able to do their jobs at the scene
where a drug overdose has occurred, he said, and that involves
collecting evidence and making arrests.

As the bill moves to the House for consideration, lawmakers should
adopt the compromise language offered by the county attorneys. It
wisely allows the use of a drug that can save many lives.

And it places reasonable limits on the use of immunity from arrest
that allows for lifesaving calls for help - without giving a pass to
drug dealing criminals who should be arrested and prosecuted.

[image caption]

A kit with naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, is displayed
at the South Jersey AIDS Alliance in Atlantic City, N.J. on Wednesday,
Feb. 19, 2014. An overdose of opiates essentially makes the body
forget to breathe. Naloxone works by blocking the brain receptors that
opiates latch onto and helping the body "remember" to take in air.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D