A new law meant to stem drug overdoses is going into effect September 13th. Our Statehouse Reporter Jo Ingles says the law focuses on providing help for overdose victims.
Republican Senator Jim Hughes says sometimes when people are overdosing, bystanders don’t call 911 for fear of getting the victim in trouble for drug abuse.
This new law would provide immunity for minor drug possession offenses.
“This does not affect the drug trafficker. This is those people who are addicted, those that we are trying to help.”
The new law connects those victims with treatment.
And it limits immunity to two 911 calls.
Hughes says emergency responders in Columbus report an average of six overdose runs each shift.
And recently, in Southwest Ohio, there were 174 overdoses in just one week.