VANCOUVER—Calling 911 could save a life, and under certain circumstances you have a legal duty to do so.

The police investigation of a 14-year-old’s apparent overdose death at a skate park in Langley, B.C., is raising awareness about a good samaritan law that encourages witnesses to report an overdose and sets out when they are legally obligated to come forward.

Carson Crimeni died Wednesday after an outing to Walnut Grove Skate Park. In tearful interviews with local media, his father Aron said if one of the youths his son had been hanging out with had called 911, Carson’s story might have had a different ending. A GoFundMe set up to help the family cover funeral costs refers to reports the youths posted a video of Carson’s last minutes to Snapchat.

Langley RCMP have set up a tip line and are asking anyone who saw Carson or talked to him that night to contact investigators.

While it’s not clear who the other youths were and whether they were using illegal drugs, the law may have protected them from charges if they had called an emergency line that night.

In fact, not calling could result in criminal negligence charges. Here’s what the law says about the protections you have and what you should do if you witness an overdose.

How do you know if someone is overdosing?

Vancouver Coastal Health reports seven signs of an opioid overdose: lack of movement, discoloration of lips and nails, slow or absent breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, small pupils, cold skin and dizziness or disorientation.

Signs of a stimulant overdose are different. Fraser Health Authority cites psychological distress like paranoia and agitations, chest pain, racing pulse, seizures and vomiting as signs someone may have overdosed on drugs like cocaine, crystal meth or caffeine.

How can you help someone who is overdosing?

Call 911, give naloxone for opioid overdoses, start CPR and tell the person help is on the way.

Can you get in trouble if you call an ambulance and you’ve taken drugs or have some on you?

You’re protected by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, passed by the federal government in 2017 to encourage witnesses to call for help. You can call 911 without fear of being charged with simple possession or breaching conditions around simple possession like probation and parole.

Good Samaritans are not protected from more serious crimes, like drug trafficking and production or if there is an outstanding warrant for their arrest.

“If they were worried about calling 911 because they were worried about getting in trouble, unfortunately that was a bad call because the GS act would have absolved them if they were acting in good faith,” explained Michael Mines, a Vancouver criminal lawyer.

Are you still protected as a good samaritan if you leave the scene of the overdose?

Yes. The act applies to people who try to help someone overdosing, regardless of whether or not they’re still on scene.

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When is it your legal responsibility to call 911?

According to Mines, “true bystanders” — people unconnected to the person in distress — can’t be charged with criminal negligence if they don’t stop to help.

“This may sound shocking, but basically if you were driving down the street and saw someone passed out on the street and they died, you’re not liable for not stopping,” Mines said.

In order for someone to be charged with criminal negligence in another person’s death, they have to have failed to do something and been in a “trust relationship” with them. A parent or guardian, for example, would be considered responsible for another person under the age of 16.

“Basically the issue in the case is: is there some kind of trust relationship? If (the youths) had some role in aiding in his demise, it’s open for the courts to follow that reasoning,” Mines said.

How many people die from overdoses in B. C.?

Since B.C. declared overdoses a public health emergency in 2016, more than 3,600 people have died. Average monthly overdose deaths across the province were almost 128 in 2018 and 92.4 so far in 2019.

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