Under the North Carolina Good Samaritan law, which groups are empowered to administer naloxone?

• A. EMS, non-profits, and grassroots organizations
• B. Only physicians
• C. Only hospitals
• D. Only pharmacies

Answer: (A)

The policy is about extending the ability to respond to an overdose in the community, not just in clinical settings. North Carolina’s approach under the Good Samaritan framework aims to empower those who are likely to be first on the scene—emergency medical services, trained community organizations, and grassroots groups—to administer naloxone during an overdose emergency. This reflects the reality that overdoses often occur outside hospitals or pharmacies, so giving clear authority and protection to trained non-clinical responders helps save lives by enabling rapid naloxone use where it’s most needed.

That means EMS personnel are authorized to administer naloxone in emergencies, and organizations that operate in the community—such as nonprofits and grassroots groups that provide naloxone training and kits—are also empowered to distribute and administer it under the law. In contrast, options limited to physicians, hospitals, or pharmacies would miss the key point of overdose response in community settings where trained lay responders are often the first to act, potentially delaying life-saving treatment. The emphasis is on broad, accessible bystander intervention supported by training and legal protections, not on restricting administration to traditional healthcare facilities.