Good Samaritan bill signed in hopes of reducing drug overdose death rate in Kansas
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – House Substitute for Senate Bill 419 was signed into law Thursday. It lets people in Kansas call for medical help if someone is having an emergency because of drugs without the fear of facing legal consequences for drug use or possession.
At Holland Pathways, people seeking help shared stories about being left for dead when they overdosed because others were afraid to call 911. They say this new law is a step to allow more people to get help.
It’s experiences that provide perspective.
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“I went down a pretty dark place; I mean, it’s somebody’s life,” said Keith Dockter, Holland Pathways Director of Admissions and Outreach, who is a former drug addict himself.
He is seven years sober.
“I was in a situation where I overdosed, and thankfully, they didn’t leave me. Thankfully, they gave me CPR, you know, mouth to mouth, until I started breathing on my own,” Dockter said.
Once revived, fear kept Dockter and the people he was using with from calling for help. The Good Samaritan law aims to remove that barrier.
“It’s harm reduction, it’s a way to save lives,” Dockter said.
The bill has backing from law enforcement.
“This doesn’t affect folks that supplied it, that are the dealers or the manufacturers,” Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said.
Easter recognizes a need. His office has responded to 35 overdose calls so far this year.
“It allows for that person to hopefully not go dump the person in need somewhere to let them die. It hopefully allows for those people to stick around, cooperate, by either rendering aid, by giving them Narcan or starting CPR. And knowing that they’re not going to get in trouble for that,” said Easter.
Dockter is grateful for his second chance at life. He hopes this bill lets more people have the opportunity to get the same help.
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“We can get that out in front of people and let them know that that’s not why the police are coming, why the EMS is coming. Their purpose is solely to help that person,” said Dockter.
The Good Samaritan law goes into effect once it’s published in the statute book. Kansas is the 49th state to have some type of Good Samaritan law related to drug overdoses.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office says these laws are linked to lower rates of overdose deaths from opioids. They also report an increased likelihood of someone calling for help if they are aware of the laws.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, click here for a list of local resources.
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