ADAMH partners with Columbus Metropolitan Library to provide naloxone kits

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Public Library made a big announcement Thursday morning by providing the life-saving drug, Narcan, available in nearly two dozen libraries.

The Franklin County Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board (ADAMH) said overdose deaths climbed nearly 50% last year with more than 800 deaths. That’s why having naloxone readily available in public spaces like the library is so important and it’s saving lives.

“I wouldn’t even be alive today if it wasn’t for Narcan, so I can genuinely say that we do recover and we are worth saving,” said a peer supporter at the Southeast Healthcare RREACT (Rapid Response Emergency Addiction and Crisis Team), Lauren Talbott, who is also 5 years sober.

“In an overdose situation every second matters and that’s why having naloxone available in public spaces like libraries and other places around our community is so important,” said Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Lori Criss.

The first “NaloxBox” kits are available at 12 Columbus Metropolitan Libraries. The rest of the kits will be available in the coming months. ADAMH is working with community partners to install an additional 100 NaloxBox kits in zip codes with high overdoses in the beginning of next year.