Please support House Bill 1166 to amend RCW 66.44.270. House Bill 1166 will provide limited immunity from prosecution of minors who seek medical assistance in alcohol poisoning situations. The 2010 Good Samaritan Law was strong step forward to prevent needless death. House Bill 1166 expands those same protections to individuals regardless of their age.
Many underage individuals do not seek medical assistance due to fear of possible criminal charges. Young adults are more likely to take part in high risk drinking habits. The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 24% of High School students report binge drinking in the last thirty days[1]. Individuals are less likely to call for medical help if they worry legal consequences.
Alcohol poisoning can be fatal. Poisoning is the leading cause of unintentional-injury deaths in Washington State[2]. As of 2005, 14 per 100,000 Washington residents died related to chemical induced poisoniong2. 134 individuals passed away in 2008 in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area due to alcohol related overdoses[3]. Washington State rates of poisonings are higher than the national average. Medical treatment interventions can treat alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning symptoms include stupors, vomiting, slow and irregular breathing, seizures, and hypothermia. Alcohol poisoning can cause permanent brain damage.
Good Samaritan Laws Work! Cornell University 2006 study found the number of alcohol related emergency calls doubled over a two-year period from 22% to 52%[4] after implementing a Good Samaritan Law. Medical interventions are often the first step to provide life-saving referrals to treatment services.
[4] Lewis, D. & Marcell, T. (2006). Safety first: a medical amnesty approach to alcohol poisoning at a U.S. University. International Journal of Drug Policy. Available at http://www.gordie.org/pdf/Cornell_MAPStudy.aspx