New Jersey Governor Christie Vetoes Good Samaritan Bill

New Jersey Governor Christie Vetoes Good Samaritan Bill

News came recently that the Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, has vetoed the Good Samaritan Overdose Response Act, which would have granted immunity to people who call 911 after an overdose. The bill was passed earlier this year by the New Jersey Senate, in response to troubling statistics: in the last year for which data is available, New Jersey recorded 752 drug overdose deaths. Many of those deaths were preventable, and there are many drug users who tell of wasting precious time hiding drugs instead of calling for medical attention.

“You dial 911, and then you get out of there. You want to stay, to make sure they are all right, but you really can’t because the cops come, and the next thing you know you are getting arrested,” said one drug user who lives in a tent near Camden. In recent studies, researchers have found that up to 50 percent of overdoses go unreported because of fear of the police. Christie vetoed the bill because of concerns of how broad the legal protection would have been for drug users or drug dealers.

If you think you or a loved one has drug problems, don’t wait for the overdose. Thankfully there are many excellent treatment plans available for dependence. Medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy have proven to be effective in treating drug problems. Addicts are often unable to cope with treatment on their own, or even with family members’ help, so it’s very important to find the right treatment center. At Seabrook, our treatment plans are customized to meet each individual patient’s needs, so you can rest assured that you’ll be getting the right remedy for yourself or for a loved one. Seabrook has rehabilitation centers in New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), and an outpatient center in New York (NY). Contact Seabrook today for any questions about drugs, addiction, and treatment.