Medical Amnesty Law Case Study

Georgia’s 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law does not reduce overdose deaths, but it has the potential too. April 24, 2014, Georgia passed the Georgia’s Medical Amnesty Law. “Drug overdose is a nationwide epidemic that claims the lives of over 36,000 Americans every year” (Davis, 2014). In Georgia, the number of drug overdose deaths have tripled since 2013. Prescription drugs such as Hydrocodone, Methadone, and Oxycodone have claimed more lives than both heroin and cocaine. Drug overdose can be reversible if given Naloxone, a medication used to stop the effects of opioids. Georgia’s 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law encourages people who witness a drug overdose or who are experiencing a drug overdose to call for help by granting them limited immunity from drug charges, arrest, and possession. In the past, many people have fled or dumped an individual who have experienced a drug overdose fearing he or she would face jail time for their involvement. The article, “A Second Chance,” states how Tanya Smith, a Georgia police officer’s 20 year old daughter Taylor Smith, who died from a drug overdose was left in a ditch by her friends who feared calling 9-1-1 for help. The 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law also allows individuals like family members and police officers who are able to help those experiencing an overdose access to Naloxone. …show more content…
But, in Georgia people are still losing their lives to drug overdoses. According to the article, “Atlanta Summit on Exploding Heroin Abuse and Overdose Deaths in Georgia,” Vernon Keenan states “Heroin deaths have dramatically increased in Georgia over the last five years” (“Atlanta Summit”, n.d.). More than 8,250 people die a year from heroin drug overdoses. Alone, 97 deaths were reported in 2014 by 1 Atlanta hospital. The number of prescription drug overdoses have stayed at a steady level in