Vancouver Public Library staff now allowed to administer naloxone

The Vancouver Public Library has reversed a policy that prevented library staff from using naloxone on patrons who overdose.

The library came under fire this week after an internal memo surfacedstating that staff were unable to use the life-saving opioid antidotewhile on duty.

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The Feb. 27 memodirected staff to instead call 911. It cited the risk of avictim becoming aggressive and staff being exposed to "opioid dust," which the librarysaid could pose liabilities.

The City of Vancouver oversees the library's policies.

City managerSadhu Johnston said the initial policy was conservative andbased on risks that never materialized.

"Ultimately, it raised the question of the message we were sending to others in the community and our own staff about stepping up to help during this crisis," Johnston said.

"This was the right thing to do to ensure we are all doing our part."

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Only trainedstaff touse naloxone

SarahBlythof the Overdose Prevention Society said she was happy with the policy change.

"No one wants to come upon a person overdosed and have the tools to help, but not be able to," Blythsaid.

B.C. is grappling with an overdose crisis, with more than 1,400 illegal-overdose deaths recorded in 2017.

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The province is circulatingnaloxone kits to eligible employers as part of its public health response.

Only trained VPL librarianswill be able to administernaloxone, the city said, and they'll be covered by Worksafe BC.

With files from CBC's Angela Sterritt