Title 37, Chapter 7, Section 8
( 37-7-8)
(a) As used in this Code section, the term "drug" means any drug as defined in Code Section 26-3-2, any dangerous drug as defined in Code Section 16-13-71, any controlled substance as defined in Code Section 16-13-21, and any narcotic drug as defined in Code Section 16-13-21. (b) The consent to the provision of medical or surgical care or
services by a hospital or public clinic or to the performance of
medical or surgical care or services by a physician licensed to
practice medicine and surgery, when such consent is given by a minor
who is or professes to be suffering from drug abuse, shall be as
valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his majority,
provided that any such treatment shall involve procedures and
therapy related to conditions or illnesses arising out of the drug
abuse which gave rise to the consent authorized under this Code
section. Any such consent shall not be subject to later
disaffirmance by reason of minority. The consent of no other person
or persons, including but not limited to a spouse, parent,
custodian, or guardian, shall be necessary in order to authorize the
provision to such minor of such medical or surgical care or services
as are described in this subsection. (c) Upon the advice and direction of a treating physician or, if
more than one, of any one of them, a member of the medical staff of
a hospital or public clinic or a physician licensed to practice
medicine and surgery may, but shall not be obligated to, inform the
spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian of any such minor as to the
treatment given or needed. Such information may be given to or
withheld from the spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian without the
consent of the minor patient and even over the express refusal of
the minor patient to the providing of such information. |