The Good Samaritan Law in Ontario is is in place to protect people who report an overdose.
The OPP are reminding everyone about the Good Samaritan Law.
The law is in place to protect people who report an overdose. Opioid overdoses are claiming the lives of thousands of people across Ontario and are steadily increasing. The statistics and numbers related to overdoses do not capture the profound distress being felt by those impacted. Observers may hesitate to call 911 in fear of police involvement. With this in mind the OPP has launched the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act public awareness campaign.
The Good Samaritan Law does provide protection against charges for:
- Possessing drugs for your own use
- Violating conditions of your parole, bail, probation or conditional sentence for a simple drug possession charge
The law does not provide protection against charges for:
- Trafficking illegal drugs
- Offences other than drug possession
- Any outstanding arrest warrants
- Violating conditions of your parole, bail, probation or conditional sentence for an offence that is not simple possession
OPP Superintendent Bryan MacKillop says the law in place to encourage people to call 9-1-1 when an overdose happens.
"At the centre of the OPP's response to the opioid crisis is the spirit of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which is intended to save lives. The OPP is determined to take every step possible to help our citizens, our communities and our partners who are impacted by the opioid crisis."

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