What action must be taken if a physician treats an overdose of Penalty Group 1 drugs?

The correct course of action when a physician treats an overdose of Penalty Group 1 drugs is to report the incident to the Department of State Health Services. This requirement comes from legal obligations regarding public health and safety, particularly concerning the use and abuse of controlled substances. Reporting such incidents helps in tracking trends related to drug overdoses and supports public health initiatives aimed at addressing substance abuse issues.

In many jurisdictions, laws are established that mandate healthcare providers to report specific incidents involving controlled substances to ensure that appropriate measures can be taken, whether it's for prevention, treatment resources, or tracking the prevalence of drug-related incidents. This requirement underscores the responsibility of medical professionals not only to treat patients but also to contribute to broader public health efforts.

While notifying the patient's family, documenting treatment details, and even considering the option of doing nothing may be important in certain contexts, they do not fulfill the specific legal obligation that mandates reporting drug overdoses to the appropriate health authorities. These actions may still play a role in patient care and legal documentation, but they do not address the statutory requirements regarding the reporting of overdoses from controlled substances.