Calls for Good Samaritan law renewed after overdose victim's body dumped

Calls are being renewed for the passing ofa private member's bill that would provide Canadiansa degree of immunity from prosecution when they seek help for someone who's overdosing, after an Ottawa man was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison this week.

DavidLojkwas sentenced Thursdayforcommitting an indignity to a human body, as well asother offenses, in the death ofDeepakBeaudoin-Reichmann.

Did nothing as victim overdosed

In October 2015, the27-year-oldBeaudoin-Reichmann, from St.Catharines, Ont.,overdosed while visitingLojk'sapartment in downtown Ottawa.

Get him to [the]ER.- Text sentto David Lojk

Several friends watched asBeaudoin-Reichmann'scondition deteriorated for many hours, court heard yet noone called 911.

According toLojk's text messages to his friends, read in court during his sentencing hearing, Lojk wrote that his"buddy from out of town [was] really messed up" and that "his head is sideways, eyes open in different directions, not responding to name, groaning."

A friend responded by textthat Lojkshould "get him to [the]ER."Lojkignoredthe adviceandBeaudoin-Reichmanndiedin the apartment about a day after he took the drugs,believed to beMDMAand cocaine.

One week later,Beaudoin-Reichmann'sbody was recovered from a creek nearKemptville, stuffed in aduffelbag.

Calls to pass private members bill

At hissentencing hearing inBrockville, Ont.,Lojk'slawyer DougBaumargued that the government should pass the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act,a private member's bill tabledby British Columbia MPRonMcKinnon

"How many tragedies have we seen with young people succumbingtofentanyl,methamphetamine, ecstasy after a rave and being abandoned by their friends?" said Baum.

"This bill makes eminent sense and Ido think it has the potential to save lives."

VanessaBeaudoin, the victim's sister,echoed those sentiments outside thecourthouse Thursday.

Do something. Don't just sit around and watch them die.- Vanessa Beaudoin

"Even if it's just taking them to a hospital and dropping them off or throwing them in a cab,do something. Don't just sit around and watch them die."Beaudoinsaid.

Bill would eliminate drug possession charges

McKinnon, the Liberal MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, told CBC that the act wouldnotprotect someonefrom being charged for serious offenses such astraffickingor impaired driving.

However,it wouldmean that the accusedwould not be charged with simple possession of drugs if they called 911.

McKinnonsaidhe has plenty of support ingovernment, and he hopes to see the act passed into lawlater this year.

Those who work with people suffering from addictions agree thatthe legislation could save lives.

"We know that when there's an overdose for someone who's injected drugs, 911 is only called 50 per cent of the time," said Rob Boyd, with the Sandy Hill Community Centre in Ottawa.

"And the main reason people report not wanting to call 911is fear of being charged by the police.'

The Good Samaritan Drug OverdoseAct will go to second reading next month.