Pubdate: Sun, 24 Jan 2010
Source: New York Times (NY)
Page: A27A of the National edition
Copyright: 2010 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Katie Fretland

PROPOSED BILL WOULD SHIELD PEOPLE REPORTING OVERDOSES

As a former heroin user, Kathleen Kane-Willis said she remembered 
being afraid when she called 911 to report a drug overdose because 
she thought she might be arrested. Now a drug policy researcher at 
Roosevelt University, Ms. Kane-Willis is pushing to resurrect 
legislation that would help shield callers from prosecution when they 
seek medical attention for themselves or someone else who has overdosed.

"No one should die because they are afraid to call 911," Ms. Kane-Willis said.

State Representative Constance A. Howard, Democrat of Chicago, 
sponsored a bill in 2008 modeled after a New Mexico law that gave 
limited immunity to overdose victims and witnesses. The bill stalled 
in the House Rules Committee over concerns that it would conflict 
with the state's prosecution of cases involving drug-induced homicide.

Other states have stymied similar legislation, but proponents in 
Illinois are not deterred. A new bill drafted by Steve Baker, the 
legislative liaison for the Cook County public defender's office, is 
under review by House Democratic aides. 
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