Georgia Overdose Prevention (GOP), creators of Georgia’s Medical Amnesty Law, is proud to mark a significant dual milestone in its mission. As the organization celebrates the 10th Anniversary of "Don't Run, Call 911," it also announces the achievement of over 10,000 known overdose reversals across the state with its partner Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition (GHRC).
Georgia's Medical Amnesty Law, enacted a decade ago, has been instrumental in providing legal protections for individuals seeking medical assistance for someone experiencing an overdose. By encouraging bystanders to intervene without fear of legal repercussions, the law has played a pivotal role in reducing overdose fatalities and promoting timely access to life-saving interventions. This law has also allowed for Naloxone, the antidote to opioid overdoses, to be available to Georgians for the past decade without a prescription.
In parallel with the anniversary of this groundbreaking legislation, GOP with its partner GHRC have reached a remarkable milestone of 10,000 known overdose reversals in the state from naloxone rescue kits they have provided to lay people at risk.
GOP’s mission is to provide education and naloxone to individuals at risk and the friends and family around them. Over the last decade GOP has provided over 126,000 Naloxone Rescue Kits across Georgia and trained more than 65,000 lay people how to use it through its volunteer distributors across the state.
“I'm very proud of our volunteer network which covers all 159 GA counties. Our amazing volunteers get the work done in their local communities.” Laurie Fugitt, Co-founder GOP.
Robin Elliot, Co-founder, adds “When we started, I had no expectations, but the reality far exceeds anything I could have imagined. The organic spread of the mission demonstrates the passion and need for statewide easy to access harm reduction.” The community members who originally worked to write and pass this law were honored on the floor of Georgia’s House of Representatives last month.
About Georgia Overdose Prevention: Georgia Overdose Prevention is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to reducing overdose fatalities and promoting harm reduction strategies. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, the organization empowers individuals and communities to respond effectively to overdose emergencies and create a safer environment for all.
Were you or someone you loved saved by Georgia’s 911 Medical Amnesty Law? We want to hear your story. Visit our website. This can be shared anonymously.
Follow us on social media to see our community events where you can get learn how to recognize and treat an overdose. On April 2nd at 6pm, we will have a virtual naloxone training on Zoom open to all. Sign up here.
