Oregon Laws and Services
Oregon Laws and Services
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What to expect when calling Emergency Services for an overdose:
Step-by-step process:
Emergency dispatch will send dispatchers and, in some cases, law enforcement, to assess the situation.
Emergency dispatch will inquiry to the reporter about information on the person who had overdosed, including their medical history, symptoms experienced, and substances ingested. You may be asked to stay on the phone until responders have arrived in order to monitor the symptoms of the person overdosing.
Medical professionals may administer naloxone or perform other life saving interventions after assessing the person.
If deemed necessary, the person may be transported to a hospital to receive additional treatment.
Police might assess the scene further, especially if they suspect any illegal activity beyond the overdose itself. That being said, their primary role is to make sure everyone is safe and assist with any necessary medical interventions.
Brief summery on the good samaritan law in Oregon:
Due to Oregon's Good Samaritan law, the person who has overdosed and the person who has called emergency services will both be protected from being arrested, being prosecuted for drug-related charges, and/or receiving parole/probation violations.
Further, as of 2016, anyone can receive and administer nasal naloxone, like Narcan, if they suspect someone is overdosing. It's important to note that naloxone won’t cause harm if opioids aren’t present in the person’s system; however, for best results, it's recommended to confirm signs of an opioid overdose before administering it.
Pacifics Alocohol and Drugs Webpage:
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