The Georgia 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law

The opioid pandemic claims many lives throughout our communities. Between 1999 and 2013, overdose deaths in Georgia more than tripled. While there is a safe and effective medication that can reverse the effects of opioids, Narcan, this emergency treatment often does not make it to the overdose scene in time to save a life. In an effort to encourage overdose witnesses to call for help, the Georgia 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law was created.

The Georgia 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law provides limited immunity from arrest, charge, and prosecution for possession of certain drugs and drug paraphernalia for individuals who experience a drug overdose and are in need of medical care and for those who seek medical care in good faith for a person experiencing an overdose. (Network for Public Health Law) This legal action was taken in hopes of empowering those present during an overdose to call for help and reduce overdose deaths.

If a loved one or friend overdoses, please call 911 (and administer Narcan if you have it). Your call can be lifesaving.

Free Narcan training and kits are available throughout our community. For more information, visit https://www.gnrhealth.com/services/community-health/opioids/.

For more information about Georgia’s 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law:

• https://guideinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Georgias-911-Medical-Amnesty-Law-Fact-Sheet.pdf
• https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20132014/144369
• https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/publication/georgia-medical-amnesty-and-expanded-naloxone-access/download