By Sean Carlin, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Patty DiRenzo fought for a Good Samaritan law for drug overdoses after her son died of one in 2010. Since Gov. Christie signed New Jersey’s version of the law in May, she has been fighting to educate the public on what it means.

The law gives immunity to drug users who call for help for someone who has overdosed or needs medical attention.

Recently, DiRenzo, of Blackwood, began an effort to hang signs around South Jersey that read: “Don’t run. Call 9-1-1. New Jersey’s Overdose Prevention Bill Will Protect You.”

The signs were made by Denise Mariano, 49, of Roxbury, N.J., who operates a Facebook page with DiRenzo called “NJ 9-1-1 Good Samaritan Bill.” The two have worked together advocating the law and now in making the public aware of it.

And they’re beginning to make progress.

Last week, a Gloucester Township police officer picked up signs from DiRenzo, and the Washington Township Police Department has expressed interest in the posters, she said. On Monday, DiRenzo said she will give signs to Camden Municipal Court Chief Judge Steven Burkett to post in and around the courthouse. She will also meet Camden Mayor Dana Redd’s spokesman Robert Corrales about posting signs in Camden’s community centers.

DiRenzo, 53, said she also wants the signs hung in transportation centers in the city.

Her son, Salvatore Marchese, 26, died of a heroin overdose in a car in a North Camden parking lot on Sept. 23, 2010. She believes her son was with someone else but the other person didn’t call for help because of the potential repercussions.

By advocating for this legislation and then working to make the public aware of it, DiRenzo said she hopes that it “proves that Sal didn’t die in vain.”

Roseanne Scotti, the state director of New Jersey’s Drug Policy Alliance, worked with DiRenzo and other families to pass the legislation and is now joining in the effort to educate the public.

“If people don’t know about it,” Mariano said of the law, “it can’t do much good.” Last week, the state Attorney General’s Office issued a directive to law enforcement on implementation and enforcement of the law. The directive lists offenses subject to immunity, such as obtaining, possessing, using, or being under the influence of a controlled substance.

The law does not cover crimes of manufacturing or trafficking illegal drugs.

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