Staff Training Resources

Following is a basic outline of what you should include in staff training. Note that the library can likely partner with county health departments, local hospitals, harm-reduction coalitions, or fire/EMS agencies for free or low-cost sessions. To incentivize staff participation, seek approval for continuing education if available, or offer monetary incentives.

Initial Training (All Staff):

  • Recognizing signs of opioid overdose (e.g., slowed breathing, unresponsiveness, constricted pupils).
  • Proper administration of naloxone (nasal spray and/or auto-injector).
  • Emergency response procedures: calling 911, patron safety, incident documentation.
  • Trauma-informed service and de-escalation techniques (how to interact respectfully and safely with patrons in crisis).
  • Stigma reduction and person-first language (using terms such as “person who uses drugs” rather than “addict”).

Refresher and Advanced Training:

  • Conducted annually (or more frequently if recommended by local public health partners).
  • Should include practice scenarios and updated guidance (e.g., new formulations like nalmefene).
  • Crisis Intervention or Mental Health First Aid.
  • Safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials (syringes, drug residue).
  • Peer support/debriefing training for post-incident staff care.

Free Training Resources You Can Use:

  1. Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention (2025).
    Libraries and Overdose Prevention. https://corxconsortium.org/
  2. “Get Naloxone Now” Online Training. https://www.getnaloxonenow.org/#home.
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit. Publication No. PEP23-03-00-001, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2025. Available from https://library.samhsa.gov.
  4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 18-4742PT2. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2018.
  5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “First Response: Working on the Front Lines of the Opioid Crisis.”https://www.samhsa.gov/technical-assistance/dtac/training/first-response