Calling for Help in an Overdose
18 V.S.A. § 4254 — no citation, arrest or prosecution under the drug chapter for seeking help in good faith
A person who, in good faith and in a timely manner, seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug overdose is not cited, arrested or prosecuted for a violation of the regulated drug chapter, or for possessing alcohol under 21 or giving alcohol to someone under 21. The person overdosing, and the subject of the request, are protected the same way. Alcohol counts as a regulated drug here.
- Seeking help includes giving care to the person while waiting for medical help to arrive.
- Being at the scene, or close to anyone there, brings no penalty for violating a protection order.
- Being at the scene brings no sanction for a violation of pretrial release, probation, furlough or parole.
- Seeking help is a mitigating circumstance at sentencing for any other offense.
Independent evidence still counts. The protection covers evidence gained as a result of seeking help. It does not stop a prosecution built on evidence from an independent source.
Sources for this section (1)
- 18 V.S.A. § 4254 — Reporting a drug overdose; immunity from liability
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Vermont attorney.