Woman arrested for ignoring opioid overdose
By Jordan Mazza
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — South Kingstown police say 28–year–old Julia Martin was using fentanyl in February with someone who began to overdose.
Police say Martin failed to offer reasonable assistance, leaving the victim to “suffer grave physical harm.”
“People are desperate,” said Dr. Jody Rich of Brown University Medicine. “They’re panicking in that moment, they don’t know what to do, and they run away, because they fear for their own life.”
Rich says that fear is made worse by Kristen’s Law, which allows for a sentence of life in prison for providing drugs to someone who overdoses.
The law includes a Good Samaritan clause to protect those who help overdose victims.
But Rich says the law still creates a chilling effect.
“We can’t have it both ways,” Rich said. “We can’t say ‘we want you to call 9–1–1 if somebody’s overdosing, we want you to get help,’ but at the same time, ‘you are liable to be charged with murder and face up to life imprisonment.'”
Some agree that legislation like Kristen’s Law is a step in the wrong direction.
“Life in prison? Probably not,” said Sean Haynes of Manville. “Maybe help them find something better to do with their lives.”
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Nancy Klein of Providence. “And if it’s a question of using, then really the effort needs to be in recovery.”
Still, others say they support harsher punishment.
“I agree with it,” said Debra Page of Providence. “I think there should be a very stern penalty.”
Wednesday South Kingstown police did not say whether Martin sold the drugs to the victim.
But they are thanking the public for their assistance in locating and arresting her.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019
