Raimondo signs overdose law, stockpiles treatments

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) _ Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has signed a good Samaritan law giving people immunity from drug charges if they call for medical help when someone is overdosing.             

Raimondo attended a signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon with lawmakers and advocates at a recovery center in Pawtucket.              

The Democrat also announced the state has bought and will distribute to police more than 1,000 doses of naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids.              

A similar good Samaritan law expired in July when lawmakers were unable to renew it before the end of last year’s session.              

Both chambers of the General Assembly swiftly passed the bill this month with bipartisan support and sent it to the governor on Tuesday night.              

The new law also expands immunity to people at risk of violating probation or parole.

© The Associated Press/WLNE-TV 2016