Illinois public libraries will soon be equipped to carry and administer opioid overdose reversal medications under a new standing order issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The order, signed by IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, authorizes libraries to keep naloxone and nalmefene on-site and use them during a suspected overdose. Vohra said expanding access to these medications is critical, noting that “medications like naloxone save lives, but only if they are readily available when needed.”
This update builds on a previous standing order from January 2024 that extended similar authority to schools.
Cynthia Robinson, executive director of the Illinois Library Association, said the move reinforces the important role libraries play in community well-being. “Their participation in this initiative to combat opioid addiction highlights their continued impact,” she said.
Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Dulce M. Quintero also praised the change, saying it supports harm-reduction efforts by ensuring “equitable access to prevention and lifesaving measures.”
If you want headline options or a shorter version for social media, I can provide those too.
