Media release: Good Samaritan law could save lives: Select Committee urged to support this harm reduction measure

Nearly three New Zealanders die from accidental drug overdose every week, a preventable cause of death, according to experts writing in a new Public Health Communication Centre Briefing.

The Briefing comes as the Health Select Committee considers the Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill, which would introduce Good Samaritan overdose protections in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Good Samaritan overdose laws provide legal protections for people who seek emergency help during a drug overdose. The authors argue that introducing these laws in NZ could help reduce preventable overdose deaths by removing a key barrier to calling for assistance.

"Fatal accidental overdose is a preventable cause of death, yet around 150 New Zealanders die each year from overdose, and the numbers appear to be increasing," says co-author, University of Otago epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker.

According to data compiled by the NZ Drug Foundation, nearly 1,300 people died from accidental drug overdose between 2016 and 2024, including 148 deaths in 2024. Māori experience a fatal overdose rate 2.8 times higher than non-Māori.

The Briefing notes that overdose deaths result from a complex mix of factors, including the characteristics of the drug supply, individual circumstances and wider social conditions such as housing instability, unemployment and economic hardship.

The authors emphasise that reducing overdose deaths requires a comprehensive approach, including improved access to naloxone, treatment and harm reduction services. However, Professor Baker says the Good Samaritan overdose protections are a measure that could be implemented now through the Bill before Parliament.

“Good Samaritan overdose laws generally protect people from prosecution for low-level drug offences when they call emergency services during an overdose. The aim is to reduce fears about legal consequences and encourage people to seek help more quickly.”

The Briefing cites local evidence showing that fear of repercussions can delay emergency calls and contribute to preventable deaths. A 2025 NZ Drug Foundation survey found that almost 40% of people at risk of drug harm would be worried about calling 111 if someone was experiencing an adverse reaction to illicit drugs.

Coronial findings have also identified cases where delays in seeking help likely contributed to deaths, with coroners repeatedly highlighting the importance of seeking medical assistance without hesitation.

International research suggests Good Samaritan laws can make a difference. Some United States studies have reported reductions of 10–15% in opioid overdose deaths within one to two years of implementation. Applied to New Zealand, that could mean approximately 15-23 lives saved each year.

The authors found no evidence that Good Samaritan laws increase risky drug use or are used to shield people involved in serious criminal offending.

"Coupled with other actions such as improving access to naloxone, and greater investment in harm reduction and addiction measures, Good Samaritan overdose laws could meaningfully reduce the number of avoidable deaths in NZ," says NZ Drug Foundation policy director Dr Jacek Kolodziej.

The Health Select Committee is currently considering the Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill. Public submissions are open until 16 June 2026.