From 2000 to 2019, there have been 1,384 Jefferson County citizens that have died from overdoses. In 2020 alone, the total count for alcohol-related hospital visits increased by 12%. Needless to say, substance misuse and overdoses are a major problem in the community. How can we even start to tackle this problem? For starters, youth should be more aware of Colorado’s Good Samaritan Law.
If a person with alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose is unconscious or cannot be awakened, they are at risk of dying! 911 should be called immediately. If you call 911, and you stay with the person experiencing an overdose, you won’t get in any trouble – even if you were drinking or taking drugs yourself. The person experiencing alcohol poisoning or other overdoses will also not face any trouble. This is what the Good Samaritan Law protects from. Just by calling 911, you can potentially save a life﹘ at no risk to yourself or the other person even if you’re underage.
An anonymous teen in Jefferson County who faced this scenario last year says, “I hesitated to call for an ambulance because I was scared of what would happen to me. Everything worked out in the end, but I wished I would have called earlier. I think I just got lucky.”
Are you at a house party and think someone may be overdosing on alcohol or another drug? Here are some signs to look out for:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
- Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
- Blue-tinged skin, lips or nails or pale skin
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Passing out (unconsciousness) and can’t be awakened
What else should you do besides calling 911? Here’s what to do:
- Always call 911. Alcohol poisoning and overdoses are life-threatening.
- Be prepared to provide information. If you know, be sure to tell hospital or emergency personnel the kind and amount of alcohol the person drank and/or drugs used, and when. (Remember, you can’t get in trouble for the presence of drugs in this situation).
- Don’t leave an unconscious person alone. They can choke on their own vomit. Administer naloxone if you suspect an opioid overdose, even if you’re not sure because naloxone will not harm anyone, with or without opioids.
- Try to help while waiting for the ambulance. Attempt to keep the person sitting up or laying down on their side to prevent choking. Do your best to keep them awake and conscious.
Every teen needs to know about the Good Samaritan Law. They may use it to save a life one day. Get ideas for starting the conversation with a teen in your life at www.twelvetalks.com.
Vivian Nguyen
Grade 12
Lakewood High School
Jeffco CTC Youth Leader
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
Does the good samaritan law still apply if you provided the drug? It doesn’t in my state of VA. You can be charged with murder.