EnACT
Expanding Harm Reduction to IL Public Libraries
Location
Room #2 (A115)
Document Type
Presentation
Type
EnACT
UN Sustainable Development Goal
UNSDG #4: Quality Education
Start Date
26-4-2023 9:55 AM
End Date
26-4-2023 10:10 AM
Abstract
Opioid overdose is preventable and often reversible yet contributes to tens of thousands of deaths per year in the U.S. and almost 2,000 deaths in Illinois alone just last year. Opioid overdose is an issue that can be solved with multiple levels of care: educating communities about fentanyl testing and safe supply, equipping citizens with naloxone, overdose intervention training, and spreading awareness about Opioid Use Disorder to reduce the stigma. Although harm reduction and rehabilitation centers do exist in Illinois, many of these crucial centers are inaccessible to communities of color and unhoused people due to location, stigma or lack of health insurance. In order to make these life-saving and evidence-supported centers more accessible to all Illinois residents, we want to start a program equipping every Illinois public library with training and supplies to reduce overdose, encourage safe supply methods and reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorders. Libraries are safe havens and the crux of community for so many people. We want to implement harm reduction in Illinois public libraries to help keep our communities safe.
Expanding Harm Reduction to IL Public Libraries
Room #2 (A115)
Opioid overdose is preventable and often reversible yet contributes to tens of thousands of deaths per year in the U.S. and almost 2,000 deaths in Illinois alone just last year. Opioid overdose is an issue that can be solved with multiple levels of care: educating communities about fentanyl testing and safe supply, equipping citizens with naloxone, overdose intervention training, and spreading awareness about Opioid Use Disorder to reduce the stigma. Although harm reduction and rehabilitation centers do exist in Illinois, many of these crucial centers are inaccessible to communities of color and unhoused people due to location, stigma or lack of health insurance. In order to make these life-saving and evidence-supported centers more accessible to all Illinois residents, we want to start a program equipping every Illinois public library with training and supplies to reduce overdose, encourage safe supply methods and reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorders. Libraries are safe havens and the crux of community for so many people. We want to implement harm reduction in Illinois public libraries to help keep our communities safe.