They were friends. They were family. They shared drugs and overdosed. One survived, the other died. Who should be held responsible when an overdose occurs?

In the case of a drug overdose, as with many medical emergencies, a matter of minutes can make all the difference between life and death. Yet, many people delay calling 911, or sometimes don’t call at all. And it’s not just drug dealers or complete strangers who are hesitating to call ⎼ it is parents, friends, loved ones. It is the individual overdosing. Not because they don’t care, but because they’re afraid of the repercussions.

People in recovery may fear discrimination in their search for housing or jobs. Learn more about the laws and protections in place for individuals recovering from addiction.