On 1st September 2025, Barod hosted an important webinar exploring the case for implementing a Drug Overdose Good Samaritan Act in Wales. The session featured two speakers: Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Regional Member for Plaid Cymru and chair of the Substance Use and Addiction Cross-Party Group, and Corey Ranger, Director of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association of Canada. Together, they examined how legal protections could help save lives during drug-related emergencies.

The Scale of the Problem

In 2023, Wales recorded 377 deaths related to drug poisoning—an 18.5% increase from the previous year and the highest number since records began. Caroline Phipps, Chief Executive Officer of Barod, highlighted a critical issue: many of these deaths could be prevented if emergency help were sought quickly. However, fear of arrest and prosecution often prevents people from calling for assistance when someone experiences a drug overdose.

The reluctance to contact emergency services stems from legitimate concerns. When drugs are involved, witnesses may fear being searched, arrested, or prosecuted for possession. This fear can lead to delayed responses or people leaving the scene entirely—with potentially fatal consequences.

What Is a Drug Overdose Good Samaritan Act?

A Drug Overdose Good Samaritan Act provides legal protection for individuals who experience or witness a drug-related overdose. The legislation aims to remove the fear of police involvement and encourage people to seek emergency medical help without hesitation.

Barod’s manifesto calls for three key actions:

1. Welsh police forces should use their powers of discretion when attending suspected drug overdose incidents
2. The UK government should amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or establish new legislation providing criminal immunity during health emergencies
3. Welsh government should officially recognise the potential of such legislation and advocate for its implementation at Westminster

Canada’s Experience: A Case Study

The webinar featured Corey Ranger, Director of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association of Canada, who provided valuable insights into how the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act operates in practice.

Implementation and Impact

Canada enacted its Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act in 2017, granting immunity from charges or conviction for simple drug possession when someone calls emergency services for an overdose or remains at the scene. The legislation emerged in response to Canada’s severe drug poisoning emergency—between January 2016 and December 2024, at least 52,544 Canadians died from apparent opioid toxicity.

Ranger explained that the law was designed to address a fundamental problem: “If people are not sure they will be safe, then they simply won’t call. When seconds count, uncertainty can kill.”

The Importance of Timely Response

The Canadian experience demonstrates that reducing delays in emergency response is critical. With the increasingly toxic nature of unregulated drug supplies—including synthetic opioids and other adulterants—every second matters. Delays don’t just increase the risk of death; they can also lead to hypoxic brain injury with permanent consequences.

The integration of education about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act into naloxone training programmes proved particularly effective in Canada. When people received overdose response kits, they also received clear information about their legal protections, which helped increase confidence in calling for help.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Whilst Canada’s legislation represents progress, Ranger identified several challenges that Wales could learn from:

Clarity Matters

Ambiguous language in legislation undermines trust. The law must be broad, simple, and clearly communicated. In Canada, debates continue about whether police can arrest individuals at overdose scenes even if they ultimately cannot be charged—demonstrating that clarity in drafting is essential.

Youth Protections Are Paramount

Young people are often most fearful of calling for help due to concerns about parental notification or other consequences. Effective legislation must specifically consider and protect this vulnerable group.

Focus on Health, Not Enforcement

Ranger emphasised that emergency services like paramedics and ambulances should lead responses to drug overdose situations. Police involvement should be minimal and only for safety purposes.

Public Education Is Essential

Canada launched public awareness campaigns through radio advertisements, health authority alerts, and apps. However, the most effective education came through direct training when distributing naloxone kits. This face-to-face communication helped people understand exactly what protections they had.

What Would This Mean for Wales?

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Regional Member for Plaid Cymru and chair of the Substance Use and Addiction Cross-Party Group, highlighted a key challenge: justice is not devolved to Wales. This means that whilst Welsh government can advocate for change, ultimate legislative power rests with Westminster.

However, this shouldn’t prevent action. Welsh police forces can adopt discretionary approaches now, and Welsh government can use its voice to push for UK-wide legislative reform. The cross-party group provides a valuable forum for evidence-based policy discussions that transcend party politics.

The Broader Context

A Drug Overdose Good Samaritan Act alone won’t solve all problems related to drug use. Canada’s experience shows that comprehensive approaches are needed, including addressing homelessness, poverty, and access to treatment services. However, such legislation represents a crucial step in preventing avoidable deaths.

As Ranger noted, the evidence is clear about what works, but the challenge lies in bridging the gap between evidence and policy. Public education and building capacity for critical evaluation of drug policies can help create the political will necessary for change.

Moving Forward Together

The webinar concluded with a call for collective action. Whilst the statistics are sobering (377 deaths in Wales in 2023 alone), each represents a person whose life mattered. Many of these deaths were preventable.

Wales has an opportunity to become the first country in Europe to implement Good Samaritan legislation. By learning from Canada’s successes and challenges, Welsh policymakers can craft effective legislation that saves lives whilst avoiding pitfalls.

The manifesto from Barod provides a blueprint for action. With cross-party support, public awareness, and determination to prioritise life over enforcement of possession laws, Wales can lead the way in creating a legal framework that encourages people to seek help during emergencies without fear.

Change requires courage and commitment from policymakers, police forces, and communities. The evidence from Canada demonstrates that when people feel safe to call for help, lives are saved. The question for Wales is not whether such legislation could work, but whether we have the will to implement it.

Source: dbrecoveryresources