Saskatoon Public Library temporarily closes 2 locations over overdose concerns
Global News
With an overdose crisis looming over Saskatoon, the Frances Morrison Central and Dr. Freda Ahenakew libraries have closed their doors until April 13th.
The drug crisis in Saskatoon is becoming too much to handle, as several community organizations have shut down due to the overwhelming number of overdoses.
On Friday, the city’s only safe consumption site, Prairie Harm Reduction, announced they would be temporarily closing due to the trauma from responding to all the overdoses.
Most recently, Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) announced they will temporarily close two libraries due to drug safety concerns.
From March 23 to April 13, Frances Morrison Central Library and Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library will be closed.
“This has coincided with a dramatic increase in our city’s population who are experiencing homelessness and a rapid worsening of our community’s opioid poisoning crisis, making it difficult for SPL to continue providing safe and effective library services at these locations,” the SPL said in a release Friday afternoon.
SPL said they have responded to at least 48 overdoses or drug poisonings in 2025. The number is nearly double that of 2024 in the same time period.
The Saskatchewan NDP are calling on the government to do better.
“Public libraries and library workers should not be forced to fill the role of treatment and care because the Sask. Party is missing in action,” said Betty Nippi-Albright, Saskatchewan NDP shadow minister for Mental Health & Addictions.
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