It was with great pride that Senate President Pro Tem Patricia Blevins outlined several accomplishments by the first half of our 147th Legislature in her op-ed in The News Journal on July 19. This was followed by State Sen.
Gary Simpson in his op-ed in The News Journal on July 30, expressing his frustration about the accomplishments of the same Legislative session. All of those mentioned are certainly positive directions taken by our legislators for our state. The mention of one extremely important law was omitted entirely by the senators. The legislation that was omitted was Senate Bill 116, “The Kristen L. Jackson & John M. Perkins Jr. Law,” typically referred to as a 911 Good Samaritan Law. For many of us, it is paramount. This is a law that will save the lives of young adults.
This spring, four families from two organizations with similar focus joined forces to bring awareness to a pandemic in our state, country and around the world. The pandemic is the disease of addiction that results in accidental overdose by heroin and abuse of prescription drugs. GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) and “atTAcK addiction” combined forces and led a truly grassroots campaign to enact a Good Samaritan 911 bill though the Delaware Legislature. The Delaware School Nurses Association recognized the importance of this legislation and lent their support. Our grassroots efforts and hard work from Sens.
Cathy Cloutier, Bryan Townsend, Bethany Hall-Long, Greg Lavelle and House members Michael Barbieri and Mike Ramone culminated in a unanimous vote from both the Senate and House on SB 116.
On July 2 four families, all of whom have lost beautiful adult children to the horrible disease of addiction, were invited guests of Gov. Markell as he signed SB 116, “The Kristen L. Jackson and John M. Perkins, Jr. Law.” The law takes effect 60 days after the signing. This law provides immunity from prosecution to anyone who calls 911 or a medical facility in order to save the life of an overdose victim. The Governor spent time with the families, paying particular interest in the surviving siblings to gain additional insight to each family’s story, prior to his formally signing the bill into law.
By definition, the law’s sole purpose is to save valuable lives. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states, “Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior.” Statistically, death by overdose has surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for young adults. One hundred people die every day from overdose. When well-known celebrities like Cory Monteith succumb to this illness, many people judge the victim as having a flawed character or weak so as not worth saving.
We can show anyone who thinks they know what the disease of addiction looks like that their perceptions are wrong. They are not just our children; they are your children, Middle America. The disease of addiction does not discriminate by race, gender, socio-economic background.
This disease takes no prisoners and destroys families. We have lost our children to addiction, and made the sacrifices necessary to pass this law because every life is worth saving. We did this to save other children from dying and to save other families from our unrelenting grief.
We now need to educate the public. This disease flourishes as it does because it is so well hidden. If it is out in the open, we can confront it and make strides to defeat it. In addition we need to educate both the public and law enforcement of the existence of “The Kristen L. Jackson & John M. Perkins Jr. Law,” the 911 Good Samaritan Law. Aug. 31 is internationally known as Overdose Awareness Day. In early June, our legislature formally declared it to be Delaware Overdose Awareness Day. It is a day set aside to honor those lost to this disease as well as to educate the public. A candlelight vigil will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. Aug. 31, at the corner of Del. 896 and Main Street near University of Delaware.
The public is encouraged to participate. Please join us.
On the same note, we heartily agree with a recent letter to the editor written by Charles Hiltner highlighting our state’s desperate need for services to treat addiction. The cost of incarceration far exceeds the cost of treatment. Our state has a severe lack of medical and mental health facilities for those suffering addiction and mental health issues contributing to the disease of addiction. The existing ones are underfunded and some face possible permanent closure for something as simple as repairs to a leaky roof. Because of this, many families must send their children out of state for treatment at great personal expense. This bankrupts households. As this pandemic continues to grow we need to be fighting to expand services here in Delaware, not cut or close them.
First and foremost we must save lives. Delaware needs to offer medically sound programs as a conduit to end the disease of addiction and return these individuals as healthy members of society.
Liz and Marty Perkins are John’s parents (www.grasphelp.org); Kathy and Bill Shields, Kristen’s parents; Dave and Gail Humes are Greg’s parents; and Don and Jeanne Keister are Tyler’s parents (www.attackaddiction .com).
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