Reader: No surprise that law enforcement opposes Good Samaritan 911 overdose bill | The Latest Word | Denver | Denver Westword | The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado
Navigation

Reader: No surprise that law enforcement opposes Good Samaritan 911 overdose bill

A Good Samaritan bill intended to prevent those who call 911 when a friend is overdosing from being arrested for doing so passed the Colorado Senate despite very opposition at the committee level from a slew of law-enforcement groups. The antipathy of such organizations to the proposal didn't exactly shock...
Share this:
A Good Samaritan bill intended to prevent those who call 911 when a friend is overdosing from being arrested for doing so passed the Colorado Senate despite very opposition at the committee level from a slew of law-enforcement groups. The antipathy of such organizations to the proposal didn't exactly shock one reader.

ShantiK writes:

Anything that would prevent the city from being able to make $ and with the rate of drug abuse climbing, of course they are going to object to such a bill. They are making it clear that their policies and priortities are focused on arrests and charges over saving lives and rehabilitation. The ability to pin someone with a drug felony almost certainly guarantees you a correctional cilent for life. Instead of setting up a drug court where addicts can redeem themselves through drug treatment and community service, while avoiding a charge that prevents them from obtaining housing, school loans and employment, they are shuffled through the jail/prison/probation/parole system at quadruple the costs to taxpayers and benefiting those who are employed to oversee the process.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

Follow and like the Michael Roberts/Westword Facebook page.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.