LET AMNESTY ENCOURAGE OVERDOSE TREATMENT

If a drug user overdoses, friends and fellow drug users should be
encouraged to take the patient to medical treatment without fear of
prosecution.

The Progressive Dane Drug Policy Task Force has worked for years to
find a way for law enforcement officials to offer amnesty to
individuals who seek medical assistance when a friend, often a fellow
intravenous drug user, is experiencing an overdose.

Our concern is the circumstance in which people don't seek medical
attention, because of fear of prosecution, and let others die.

In a perfect world, individuals would always put saving a life over
fear of personal consequences. But as we know, it's not a perfect
world. In a situation where the people present are using intravenous
drugs, it's hard to expect them to have clear heads about what to do
in an emergency.

Reasonable people can easily question the decisions made by Madison
resident Scott Roberts leading up to the point at which his
girlfriend overdosed on March 5. But, after the overdose, Roberts'
decision to take his girlfriend to the emergency room was the right one.

Unfortunately, this effort led to scrutiny by law enforcement
officials. Roberts is now facing a $35,000 fine and up to 18 1/2years
in prison on a charge of delivering heroin, a controlled substance.
His girlfriend has been charged with possession of heroin, likely to
help encourage her to provide information about Roberts.

Our law enforcement officials continually reassure us that saving
lives is their utmost priority. They claim that they almost never
prosecute people who call 911 or otherwise seek medical attention in
case of an overdose. But then a case like this comes along and
"almost never" means nothing. Drug users see these events and realize
that, yes, they are putting themselves in danger when they seek
medical attention for their friends.

Our law enforcement officers and local prosecutors need to make a
policy that codifies the importance of saving lives over the
importance of busting drug users. Many communities around the world
are employing harm-reduction measures in regard to drug policy, often
with great success.

For example, communities providing prescription heroin to drug
addicts are not only helping to dry up the illicit markets that
continually recruit new customers but also preventing the spread of
HIV and hepatitis C.

We can take a simple baby step toward prioritizing public health by
making a policy that tells users that, no matter what the
circumstances, the act of helping to save a life will not be punished.

Rearick is co-chair of the Progressive Dane Drug Policy Task Force.