The Los Angeles County Library is expanding its free naloxone clinics and doubling the number of locations from five to 10, officials announced Wednesday.
People are able to pick up one box of the nasal spray, more commonly known as Narcan, that can quickly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, including from heroin, fentanyl, and prescription medications.
They’ll also receive training on how to use the life-saving treatment properly, without being asked for ID, payment, or proof of insurance.
Skye Patrick, the director of the L.A. County Library system, told LAist the first five clinics that launched last October distributed more than 1,500 boxes, and were really well received by the community.
“That's kind of the beauty of this program is that anyone can ask for it,” she said. “It's not age specific.”
People will need to request a box and read a short document on how to administer the medication, but then they’re free to go, no questions asked.
The clinics will be available at these library locations every Wednesday from 12 p.m. through 4 p.m. until at least June 26.
Anyone can purchase and carry Narcan after it became available over-the-counter last fall, but people who are prescribed high-dose opioid medications and those who use drugs are especially encouraged to have it on-hand.
But even if you’re not at risk of an overdose, a friend or family member might be, so it’s a good idea to carry a dose and have one at home, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Plus, Patrick said their library staff is happy to provide a box without any judgment.
“If you need it for yourself, you need it for your child, if you need it for your parents, that is not our concern,” she said. “Our concern is just to provide support to our neighbors and our communities. That is what we do on a myriad of levels, and I don't think this is any different than any other service we provide.”
It can be hard to tell if someone is experiencing an overdose, but when in doubt, treat it like one. A single dose of Narcan can help within a few minutes, but fentanyl overdoses may need two or more.
If you need a reminder on how to administer a dose, you can watch the California Public Health training in English and in Spanish.
The clinics are through a partnership with the county Department of Public Health, and its director, Barbara Ferrer, said in a statement that more community access to Narcan means more lives can be saved.
Accidental fentanyl overdose deaths skyrocketed 1,652% from 2016 to 2022, according to a Nov. 2023 data report from the department’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control.
1,910 people died of these overdoses in 2022, up from 109 just six years before. Fentanyl has become the deadliest drug in L.A. County, making up 59% of all alcohol and other drug overdose deaths in 2022.
“In the worst overdose crisis in local history, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health welcomes L.A. County Library's leadership to promote universal access to Naloxone,” Ferrer said in a statement.
Patrick said she definitely sees an opportunity to continue to expand the clinics, but it will depend on if the library system is able to get additional doses from the state.
“We're just kind of dipping our toes in and see how we can support our communities,” she said. “And if necessary, we'll continue to do this work in partnership with the department of public health.”
