Opioid awareness: Take a pouch, save a life & meet community partners in the Main Library Idea Box

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, and we want to make our community aware that the Main Library offers life-saving resources just inside the front entrance.

Since March 2023, overdose kits containing naloxone nasal spray (also known by the brand name Narcan) have been freely available to anyone in the Main Library vestibule, in a red opioid overdose box.

“Anyone can take and carry Narcan, give it to someone having an overdose, and potentially save a life,” says the library’s Manager of Public Safety Aaron Alonzo (pictured above). 

And this August, local organizations will provide training and resources in the Main Library Idea Box.

Pouch labeled Opioid Overdose Kit, with contents including a fentanyl drug test strip and two nalaxone nasal spray packages

Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses

Someone in Oak Park overdoses on opioids almost every other day, according to the Village of Oak Park Department of Public Health’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Project.

The Opioid Overdose Prevention Project stocks the naloxone box at the library and those in six other accessible locations around town.

Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and can prevent overdose deaths. Each pouch contains two prepackaged naloxone nasal sprays, as well as instructions for use.

It’s important to know that anyone can take a pouch from the box in the library’s vestibule, to use in case of a future emergency. The box is unlocked, and you don’t need to ask permission.

The Main Library also has naloxone stocked on the second and third floors, in the same box as the AED machines. These supplies are intended for use in an emergency.

Ready-to-use nasal spray

The naloxone nasal spray inside comes ready to use, with no assembly needed. If you see someone overdosing on opioids, or if you suspect they are overdosing on opioids, you can spray the naloxone inside the person’s nostril and potentially save their life.

Signs of an overdose include shallow breathing, small pupils, not responding, and blue skin or lips from poor circulation, according to the Opioid Overdose Prevention Project. (Find more resources, trainings, and frequently asked questions on its website.)

Naloxone only works to block opioids, which include fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine. It will not work on overdoses from drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine. Still, the National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends using it for even a suspected opioid overdose because it has no negative effects on someone who’s not overdosing on opioids.

August 19-31: Meet community partners in the Main Library Idea Box

In honor of #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay, Oak Park and River Forest Townships Youth and Family Services Opioid Task Force will be featured in the Main Library Idea Box August 19-31

Oak Park Township’s Angela Aggen, CADC, Prevention Coordinator, is facilitating this year’s display with the help of dedicated community partners. See the table below for specific dates and times partners will be available in the Idea Box.

From the townships: “The substance use crisis in America has impacted our communities, families, and individuals deeply. This disease knows no age, race, color, or creed and does not discriminate. It is essential we equip community members with the resources and support needed to prevent the fatal consequences of substance misuse and provide evidence-based prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services. This year there will be a memorial section of the display, where community members can honor someone, they’ve lost to overdose, by writing their name or adding a picture to the display. We want to recognize those people who go unseen and give those affected by addiction the best chance of finding long-term recovery and hope for the future. Partners will host ‘office hours’ to connect with community members, share information, and answer questions. Please stop by! #TogetherWeCan”

Day and Time Who will be in the Idea Box
Monday, August 19,  9:30 am-12 pmOak Park Township and River Forest Township
Tuesday, August 20, 12-1 pmOak Park Township
Wednesday, August 21, 9 -11 amCommunity Mental Health Board
Thursday, August 22
-11 am-1 pm
-2-4 pm

-Riveredge Hospital
-Way Back Inn
Friday, August 23, 10 am-12 pmOak Park Township
Monday, August 26, 9-11 amWay Back Inn
Tuesday, August 27, 9-10:45 amOak Park Health Department
Wednesday, August 28, 9-11 amCommunity Mental Health Board
Thursday, August 29, 11 am-1 pmRiveredge Hospital
Friday, August 30, 9 am-1 pmOak Park Township