Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill - Submission Guide

Normally when someone calls an ambulance to save a life, they are considered a hero. 

When someone is trying to help their friend experiencing an overdose, that should remain the case. 

Every week in Aotearoa, around three people die from accidental overdoses. Too often, people delay calling for help because they are scared they or someone else at the scene could be arrested for low-level drug offences.

Kahurangi Carter’s Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill aims to change that.

The Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill, also known as the Good Samaritan Bill, makes narrow changes to the law. The changes will protect people from prosecution for low-level drug offences when they call 111 for life-saving medical help during an overdose or serious drug reaction.

This Bill doesn’t protect dealing or serious crime, it’s about one simple rule: if in doubt, call for help.

Countries overseas have Good Samaritan laws, and evidence shows they increase emergency calls and reduce overdose deaths.

The Bill has passed first reading and is now open for public submissions at Select Committee.

Now we need your support. Make a submission in support of this Bill and help save lives. 

Submissions close 11.59pm Tuesday 16 June, 2026

Please note, you can indicate in your submission if you would like it to remain anonymous.

Why is this important?

Right now, fear of prosecution can stop people calling for emergency help during an overdose.

Even a short delay in getting medical assistance can be the difference between life and death.

This Bill takes a practical, evidence-based approach to reducing preventable overdose deaths by making it clear that people acting in good faith to save a life should not face criminal charges for low-level drug offences.

As more potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl appear in New Zealand, and overdose harm continues to rise, we need laws that prioritise saving lives.

Good Samaritan laws overseas have been shown to:

• increase the likelihood people call emergency services during an overdose,
• reduce hesitation and fear in emergency situations,
• connect people with health services and support, and
• help prevent avoidable deaths.

We believe that if someone’s life is at risk, people should feel safe to call for help.

What you might want to say in your submission:

Tell the Select Committee that you support this Bill. You may want to add:

• That saving lives should come before punishing low-level drug offences in emergency situations.
• That fear of prosecution can stop people calling 111 during an overdose.
• That Good Samaritan laws overseas have been shown to increase emergency calls and reduce overdose deaths.
• That this Bill takes a practical, evidence-based harm reduction approach.
• That the Bill does not protect serious violence or commercial drug dealing.
• Any personal or professional experience you have with overdose harm, addiction services, emergency response, or supporting whānau and communities affected by drug harm.
• That everyone deserves access to life-saving medical care without fear.

Submissions close 11.59pm Tuesday 16 June, 2026