Learning how to treat opiod overdoses

The Faculty of Information is leading the way in Canada by offering training in drug overdose identification and response for library students. In its Communities and Values (INF1322H) course, a required course taken by hundreds of students, teaching assistant and PhD candidate Atticus Hawk provides training in response and de-escalation as well as how to administer naloxone, a fast-acting medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids. 

“Atticus got hundreds of naloxone kits that we distributed to our students last year and again this year,” said Professor Nadia Caidi, who teaches Communities and Values. “He trained them to use these kits effectively and confidently.” 

Hawk also teaches Harm Reduction for Information Professionals (INF1005/6H ), a more detailed, weeks-long workshop course suitable for all MI concentrations. One session has just wrapped up and another section starts after Reading Week. The workshop covers hands-on naloxone training, de-escalation simulations, anti-racist big data practices, and inclusive metadata creation strategies.  

Caidi noted that at the recent OLA Super Conference, held last month, both leading librarians and CAMH’s CEO Sarah Downey attested to the urgent need to tackle the opioid crisis in libraries. Caidi is looking to spread the word throughout the Faculty of Information about the importanceof drug overdose training.