The Santa Clara County Library District and the County of Santa Clara’s Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) are joining forces to spread the word about the opioid crisis.
Workshops scheduled from July 8 through Sept. 9 will cover drug education, including recognizing an opioid overdose, and will provide training with the over-the-counter medication Naloxone nasal spray (commonly known as Narcan).
“A recent report by the County of Santa Clara found the number of overdose deaths involving fentanyl more than doubled from April to May,” said Sherri Terao, director for Behavioral Health Services Department. “We are encouraging everyone, especially people under 30 years old, to learn more about fentanyl and its impacts. Our website, FentFacts.org, has potentially lifesaving information such as where one can find resources, support and free Narcan kits.”
Earlier this year, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal to supply and maintain Narcan at county libraries in the event of an emergency. County Librarian Jennifer Weeks has spoken with other library systems that already carry Narcan to learn best practices. This includes public education and voluntary staff training.
“Members of our staff have volunteered to learn how to safely administer Narcan in case of an emergency, and our libraries have a limited stock on-hand should the need arise,” Weeks said. “Many school districts keep Narcan on-hand with trained staff available to administer it. Other libraries in the country have Narcan at the ready. There is a great urgency to make this lifesaving medicine and public education available, and we are here to help.”
The public is invited to attend one of these free Opioid Overdose Prevention workshops. Space is limited and registration is required. Participants who complete the training will be given a free Narcan kit, while supplies last.
• Milpitas Library: July 8 at 2pm
• Cupertino Library: July 12 at 1pm
• Los Altos Library: Aug. 5 at 1:30pm
• Morgan Hill Library: Aug. 8 at 6pm
• Gilroy Library: Aug. 16 at 7pm
• Campbell Express Library: Aug. 17 at 7pm
• Saratoga Library: Sept. 9 at 1pm.
For information, visit sccld.org/blogs/post/opioid-overdose-prevention.
