LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW LIBRARIES TO MAINTAIN NARCAN KITS

Senator George Amedore, co-Chair of the New York State Senate Task Force on Heroin Addiction and Opioid Abuse, today announced the Senate has passed his legislation (S.7860) that would allow public libraries to maintain and administer opioid antagonists, such as narcan, for the treatment of overdoses.

“Narcan can be the difference between life and death for someone experiencing an overdose, so it’s important that it’s readily available,” said Senator George Amedore. “Libraries are gathering centers for a community, so it is common sense that they be prepared in case they are faced with this type of emergency.”

"We are extremely grateful for Senator Amedore's continued dedication to our state's public libraries, and applaud his leadership on this pressing public health issue," said Mike Neppl, General Counsel and Director of Government Relations, New York Library Association.

The Senate and Assembly previously passed legislation to expand access to opioid antagonists and to provide schools and certain educational institutions the authority to maintain and administer opioid antagonists in the event of an emergency. This bill amends Chapter 57 of the laws of 2015 to also authorize public libraries to do so.

In order to administer the narcan, individuals and library personnel would be required to be trained by a DOH approved program.

The bill was sent to the Assembly, where it is sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried.

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