Oregon Public Broadcasting

A new law takes effect in Washington state this week that's meant to avoid deaths by drug overdose. 

Opiates such as OxyContin and Vicodin are highly addictive.  And in Washington overdoses of opiates are now the leading cause of accidental death -- out-pacing car accidents.

Health officials hope the state's new “911 Good Samaritan Law” will help change that. Under the law, if a person calls for emergency services and police find drugs, neither the caller nor the person overdosing will be charged with possession.

Gina Grappone is the Executive Director of SAMA Foundation- that stands for science and management of addictions.

Gina Grappone: “In one situation I can think of the friend was dumped off in a supermarket parking lot and fortunately was found by a bystander who did call 911.It's this kind of behavior that this law is trying to get at so that people feel we should call 911. It's the right thing to do and the faster we do it the more likely that this person's life will be saved. “

The law does not offer complete immunity. Someone holding a large quantity of illegal drugs could be prosecuted for distribution.

The law applies in any overdose situation.

It was prompted by the death in 2007 of a 16-year-old girl who died after after taking Ecstasy at a party.

She was not taken to a hospital until she was turning blue, and it was too late.