The Lloydminster RCMP and detachments across Alberta are encouraging residents to seek emergency help in an overdose situation. Mounties are reminding people of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which protects witnesses to an overdose and who try to help.
The act is used to reduce the fear of seeking authorities so that people are encouraged to help those suffering from an overdose. Anyone who seeks help is protected from controlled substance charges if they seek help for the person overdosing. Those suffering from an overdose and those at the scene when help arrives are protected through the act as well.
Witnesses to an overdose are recommended to call emergency services an administrate naloxone to try and reverse overdose effects.
Over the last two years, around 2,000 people in the province have died from an opioid overdose, according to RCMP. Police believe that some people have been hesitant to call emergency services due to the fear of being arrested.