Last month, Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick generously donated Narcan kits to the Franklin Square Library, marking a significant milestone for public safety. In District 9, which also includes Malvern and Valley Stream, libraries may soon see Narcan kits.
Aviva Kane, director of Franklin Square Library proposed to Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick that she also contact other libraries in the area to get on board with the emergency kits. “We were hoping to have a photo op with all our neighboring libraries because libraries are on the front lines,” Kane says. “We are providing so many more services than just books and information.”
Kane believes that the library is also a place for the community to retrieve health-related materials. The Narcan kits being the newest addition to the library bring a more health-centered atmosphere. She would like for staff to be trained on Narcan and the administration of the AED equipment.
The AED equipment was purchased by the library, separate from the funding of the Senator. They had this equipment before, “but it is again, it’s like supporting the community from the ground up,” Kane says.
The Narcan Kits will be accessible and distributed on the ground level for free for anyone battling an overdose.
With drug-related emergencies, they can happen anywhere, however, making life-saving equipment accessible to the public is a big step forward in bringing public awareness.
In the past, the Long Beach Library has administered Narcan equipment. It ended up saving a person’s life. Senator Fitzpatrick-Canzoneri emphasizes the necessity of the equipment because like this incident, it is “demonstrating that these resources are critical tools that protect residents, support recovery, and affirm the need for these resources in every community.”
Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick will further her goal in prioritizing the wellness of the public. She will additionally partner with any organizations or institutions that will help extend the path for a safe and healthy community.
