Good Samaritan Law and NARCAN® - Are You Protected If You Help?

If you carry NARCAN® and you've ever wondered whether you could get in trouble for using it - this is the blog you need to read.

Fear of arrest is one of the most documented reasons people hesitate to call 911 or give NARCAN® during an overdose. People who could save a life freeze because they're not sure where they stand legally. The Good Samaritan law exists specifically to change that.

Here's what it actually means for you 

What Is the Good Samaritan Law?

The Good Samaritan law - sometimes called the bystander law or the Good Samaritan act - is a legal protection that shields people from certain criminal charges when they call 911 and help someone who is overdosing.

It exists because research showed clearly that fear of arrest was stopping bystanders from making the one call that could save someone's life. Lawmakers across the country responded by creating legal protection for people who step in.

New Mexico was the first state to pass one in 2007. The rest followed as the opioid crisis deepened. In March 2025, Wyoming signed its version into law - making all 50 states and the District of Columbia covered.

What Does It Actually Protect You From?

In most states, if you call 911 because someone near you is overdosing, you are protected from being arrested for having drugs or drug-related items on you at the scene.

The law recognizes that saving a life matters more than prosecuting the person who called for help. As long as you act in good faith, call for help immediately, and stay on the scene until emergency services arrive - the law is on your side.

Are You Protected for Giving NARCAN®?

Yes, clearly and specifically. Good Samaritan laws protect people from civil and legal penalties when they administer naloxone to someone showing signs of an overdose. This is not practicing medicine. This is not illegal. Every state covers it.

And carrying NARCAN® itself? Also completely legal. Following FDA approval in 2023, naloxone is available over the counter in all 50 states without a prescription. NARCAN® is not a controlled substance. There is nothing illegal about carrying it or using it to help someone.

If you've ever asked yourself "is narcan legal?" or worried that "is narcan illegal" in your state - the answer is the same everywhere: it's legal, it's over the counter, and you're protected for using it.

What the Good Samaritan Act Does NOT Cover

This part matters, the protections have real limits.

What is generally NOT covered:

• Selling or distributing drugs - the law covers possession, not dealing

• Active warrants - calling 911 does not clear existing warrants

• Probation or parole violations - most states don't extend protection here

• Repeat calls in some states - Wyoming, for example, limits protection to two calls per year

The protection is specifically for the act of calling 911 and helping someone in an acute emergency. It is not a blanket shield for other criminal activity. Protection also varies by state, some offer broader coverage than others. It's worth looking up your specific state's law so you know exactly where you stand.

Do These Laws Actually Make a Difference?

The research is encouraging though it's worth being honest that studies are mixed.

Some research has found up to a 15% reduction in overdose deaths in states with Good Samaritan laws. A US Government Accountability Office review of 17 studies found a consistent pattern of lower overdose death rates in states that passed these laws compared to states that hadn't. Other studies have found more limited impact.

What research does agree on is this: people who know about the bystander law are more likely to call 911. And more 911 calls during overdoses means more lives saved. The law only works if people know it exists which is exactly why spreading this information matters.

The Fear That Costs Lives

Here's the uncomfortable truth. Even with these protections in place, many people still don't know about them. Studies have found that awareness of Good Samaritan laws varies widely not just among the public, but even among law enforcement officers.

People are dying because someone nearby didn't call 911 or give NARCAN® . Not because they didn't care but because they were afraid.

Knowing you're protected removes that barrier. And having NARCAN® on you removes the next one.

Protected by Law. Ready by Choice.

The Good Samaritan law protects you for helping. nCase Lite is designed to help keep your NARCAN® clip to your keys so it always stays within reach - so when the moment comes, you're ready.

→ Get nCase Lite

Quick Reference - Good Samaritan Law and NARCAN®

nCase Lite is a carrying case only – naloxone not included. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for storing and using your medication. nCase Lite is not a medical device. In an emergency, call 911. NARCAN® is a registered trademark of Emergent Operations Ireland Limited. nCase Technologies is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical manufacturer.