Staff at Stormen library in central Bodø have taken courses in handling violence and threats, and keep a nasal spray on hand to save lives at a potential overdose, library head Stine Qvigstad Jenvin said.
Jenvin opened a cupboard and took out a small green package. "This is a nasal spray we can use to save lives at a potential overdose," she said. In the white tiled toilet, she checked the bin and again found packaging for syringes.
"I don't like it. Then you know something has happened here," she said. "Some of the users leave syringes or other equipment behind. The staff have been trained in how to handle it. But I'm afraid children will touch it. She added: "We have had situations where we had to call the police to get people out of here."
The reason is that individuals or small groups increasingly use the library toilets to get high. Police officer Henrik Brørs said a small group of people has challenged both the police and businesses in the centre since the summer. Police registered a doubling of theft cases in Bodø this summer compared with last year.
NRK spoke to several shop employees in central Bodø who did not want to appear in a case but said they don't dare work alone. Glasshuset shopping centre is a gathering point for people with substance challenges.
Elisabeth Reinertsen, head of the Librarian Union, said the situation at Stormen is far from unique. Staff at Deichman in Oslo have dealt with drug finds, violence and overdoses, and the same has happened at libraries in Kongsberg, Tromsø, Bergen and Vågsbygd in Kristiansand. "It is sad that we have ended up here, but it is a fairly natural consequence of social development. The library remains the last free and open space where everyone can stay without spending money," she said.
The union is demanding that municipalities take employer responsibility seriously through mandatory training in de-escalation, drug handling and follow-up after serious incidents.
Lars Vestnes, daily leader of Kirkens Bymisjon in Bodø, said the number of people living in exclusion is growing and they are getting younger. Acting mayor Ida Gudding Johnsen said Bodø has a serious situation, with several people facing serious mental illness and serious substance disorders. Brørs said police now see improvement.
Veronica Kåring of Bodø sentrumsforum said a new meeting will see police give guidance on handling such situations.