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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2018
Media Contact: Jill Schacter jschacter@cityofevanston.org
Phone:  847/448-8628

Understanding Opioid Addiction and Reversing Overdoses

Whether you are a professional working with at-risk individuals and users, a family member of a person addicted to opioids, or someone struggling with this addiction yourself, it will be helpful to know how to administer Narcan/Naloxone, an opioid antidote used to reverse overdoses. The Evanston Public Library is presenting a program for community members to understand more about the opioid epidemic, opioid use and misuse, and signs that someone is overdosing. Participants will learn how to administer Narcan if they find someone experiencing an overdose and will receive information on how to obtain Narcan for free. The program will be held Monday, July 16, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Main Community Meeting Room. 

A panel of experts will discuss substance abuse, opioid addiction, and how to acquire Nacan/Naloxone. The presenters include:

·         Peer Services, an affordable community based substance use treatment and prevention program (peerservices.org )

·         Live4Lali, an Arlington Heights non-profit that focuses specifically on opioid addiction prevention, advocacy, and educational training (live4lali.org)

·         CVS. which will provide coupons for Narcan and speak on accessing this medication at their pharmacies.

Many libraries across the country are first responders to the opioid crisis. At the Denver Public Library, they have administered Naloxone 17 times within the past year. The American Medical Association has endorsed the training of lay people in the use of Narcan (naloxone) to prevent overdoses.  The Evanston Public Library’s program is among the first community-based trainings for Narcan/Naloxone. The program is sponsored by the Library as well as the City of Evanston.

Addiction does not discriminate on age, race, or income status. One of the intents of the program is to shift the perspective on addiction from criminalization to recovery and to understand that addiction is a disease. This is a difficult topic to discuss, and people need to understand how to talk about addiction with their loved ones.

Knowledge can save lives. However opioid addiction affects you, make it a point to attend this seminar on reversing overdoses at the Evanston Public Library, Monday, July 16, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, in the Community Meeting Room, 1703 Orrington. Attendance is free and registration is not required.   

About the Evanston Public Library

For more than 140 years, the Library has provided educational, culturally-rich resources for all residents, helped children prepare for school through the joys of reading and learning, celebrated Evanston’s diversity, and helped residents find information they seek. The Library is more than a building of books; it is a place to meet, connect, learn and explore. To learn more, visit www.epl.org.