We have over 300 signatures from individuals and over 150 signatures from faith leaders!
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Our Good Samaritan Law is not working.
Eleven North Carolinians on average are dying each day from preventable drug overdose. We lost 4,243 loved ones in 2022.
People remain afraid to call 911 in the event of an overdose emergency because of the limitations of North Carolina’s Good Samaritan law. With overdose rates higher than ever, we must broaden our law to ensure people don’t hesitate to call for help.
Good Intentions
Good Samaritan laws are intended to protect people who provide assistance to someone who is ill or incapacitated. Our current law was written to encourage people to call for help when they see someone overdosing, but it is out of date and does not provide adequate protection from arrest.
Our Mission
Our coalition is proposing key enhancements to our Good Samaritan law that will encourage people to call for assistance without fear of penalty.
Our goal is to get a bipartisan bill on the agenda for the current legislative session which began 1/11/2023.
Support Us
Overdose deaths continue to rise
People remain afraid to call 911 in the event of an overdose emergency because of the limitations of North Carolina’s Good Samaritan law. With overdose rates higher than ever, we must broaden our law to ensure people don’t hesitate to call for help.
Learn how to get involved
We need your help to get legislators to support the Good Samaritan law changes and prioritize getting the bill on the legislative session agenda. You can do this by signing our letter to the legislators, reaching out to your county legislators, contributing to media activities and telling your stories.
“It can be the key between life and death… Nobody should have to die in a way that they don’t have to die, when something can be done.
They fear that they will be charged, they will go to jail, they’ll be looked down upon, as well. It’s a very, very difficult situation to be in already, on top of knowing that you could have life-changing consequences for yourself if you call that number.”
Lisa Falbo, Harm Reduction Advocate
“We don’t have protection from arrests like some states do; we only have protection from prosecution. We don’t have protection across the board for possession, only for certain drugs and amounts. What drugs are covered or not covered is based on how drugs are classified and how drugs are classified is underpinned by racism. It has to do with perceptions about who uses what drugs and how they’re used.”
Loftin Wilson, Program Manager, North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
“I believe it’s important for this law to include fentanyl, if for no other reason, you can’t help someone if they aren’t alive.
Around 70% of overdoses involve fentanyl, and the Good Samaritan law should include the most commonly used drug for the most common cause of overdoses.”
Charles O’Dell, CEO and President of the Dilworth Center