Moses Lake council votes to prohibit distribution of drugs on city property after Library Narcan debate

The Moses Lake City Council voted to direct the city attorney to pursue a prohibition on distribution of drugs on city property, including Narcan (naloxone), after a prolonged public comment period and council debate about a Narcan vending machine installed at the Moses Lake Library.

Council member Victor Lombardi, who made the motion as amended, framed the item as two core issues: city policy authority and the council’s role in representing taxpayers. Lombardi told the council the machine had been placed without council review and cited public opposition, saying “there are 300 petitioners” opposed to the library location. The amended motion directs the city attorney to continue discussions with the library under the city’s building use and maintenance agreement and states the council opposes distribution of drugs on city property; the motion passed with all council members voting in favor.

Why it matters: North Central Washington Libraries (NCW Libraries), which operates the Moses Lake branch, and other community organizations said the machine has already been used to reverse overdoses and make naloxone accessible. Opponents said the library entrance is not an appropriate dispensing location for a medication associated with opioid use and raised…