Characteristics of events in which police responded to overdoses: an examination of incident reports in Rhode Island

• Published in: Harm reduction journal Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 1 - 116
• Main Authors: Macmadu, Alexandria, Yolken, Annajane, Frueh, Lisa, Toussaint, Jai'el R, Newman, Roxxanne, Jacka, Brendan P, Collins, Alexandra B, Marshall, Brandon D. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 18.10.2022; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Arrests; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Criminal liability; Dosage and administration; Drug overdose; Drugs; Emergency medical care; Emergency response; Emergency services; First responders; Good samaritans; Harm reduction; Jurisdiction; Law; Murders & murder attempts; Naloxone; Overdose; Pandemics; Police; Police departments; Postal codes; Prevention; Race; Services; Rhode Island; United States > US

Background Narrow or non-existent Good Samaritan Law protections and harsh drug selling statutes in the USA have been shown to deter bystanders from seeking medical assistance for overdoses. Additionally, little is known about the actions that police take when responding to overdose events. The obje...