To bolster the fight against opioid overdoses, the Baltimore County Public Library has collaborated with the Baltimore County Department of Health (BCDH) to offer naloxone. This drug can reverse opioid overdoses at all 19 of its branches. This initiative arrives timely, with National Recovery Month just around the corner in September.
Naloxone training was provided to library managers and staff in July, teaching them to recognize overdose signs and stress the importance of calling emergency services. According to the Baltimore County website, these trained individuals are now equipped not just with knowledge, but with naloxone receptacles that have been installed across library branches. Different branches have selected models that best fit their area's needs, with some opting for newspaper-style receptacles and others going for wall-mounted cabinets.
"Ensuring that every resident can access lifesaving medication is a priority for Baltimore County, and we’re proud to continue working with our partners to prevent overdoses in every community," Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier told the Baltimore County website. With such measures in place, local government officials aim to curb the opioid epidemic's impact on the community substantially.
The initiative is supported by federal and state funding, including the American Rescue Plan Act and the Maryland Office of Overdose Response, alongside a cooperative agreement with the CDC given to Baltimore County. "By partnering with the Baltimore County Department of Health to make Naloxone readily available, we are helping to break down barriers, reduce stigma and ensure our neighbors have access to this critical tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic," Baltimore County Public Library CEO Sonia Alcántara-Antoine expressed in a statement obtained by the Baltimore County website.
The line, operated by Peer Recovery Specialists, is available Monday through Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to midnight, and can be contacted at 410-88-REACH (410-887-3224).
