Columbia City Council to discuss “Good Samaritan” law intended to help prevent drug overdoses

Tonight, the Columbia City Council will discuss whether to adopt a new Good Samaritan ordinance, intended to help prevent drug overdoses.

The ordinance would mimic one adopted by St. Louis in June, which “provides immunity from prosecution for possession or control” of a controlled substance if the person is seeking medical attention or if they are calling about a person experience an overdose. The St. Louis ordinance provides immunity to both the person reporting the overdose and the person experiencing it.

According to the council memo, Ward 2 Council Member Michael Trapp requested a report on the St. Louis Good Samaritan ordinance as well as a recommendation from staff as to whether or not Columbia should adopt something similar.

Death as a result of a drug overdose has been on the rise in Missouri in recent years. The goal of Good Samaritan ordinance is to reduce those deaths by providing immunity from punishment of any drug-related offense for a person, who “in good faith, seeks emergency medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose.”

According to the City of Columbia’s council memo, the law is still “tough on drug dealers, offering no protection for those with weapons or large quantities of drugs, as well as these operating known drug houses.”

Colorado and California have also adopted similar laws.