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NZ Parliament Passes Overdose Samaritan Law Protecting Callers

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Parliament passed the reading of the Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Amendment Bill, a Samaritan law protecting callers from prosecution for low-level drug offences during overdose emergencies.
Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter introduced the bill, saying it should stop hesitation in life-or-death moments.
NZ Drug Foundation director Sarah Helm said three New Zealanders die weekly from overdoses, fear deters 111 calls, and a 2025 survey showed about 40 % would worry about calling.

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Story summary

Parliament passed the reading of the Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Amendment Bill, a Samaritan law protecting callers from prosecution for low-level drug offences during overdose emergencies.
Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter introduced the bill, saying it should stop hesitation in life-or-death moments.
NZ Drug Foundation director Sarah Helm said three New Zealanders die weekly from overdoses, fear deters 111 calls, and a 2025 survey showed about 40 % would worry about calling.