Substance Use and Overdose in Public Libraries: Results from a Five-State Survey in the US

Feuerstein-Simon, Rachel; Lowenstein, Margaret; Dupuis, Roxanne; Dolan, Abby; Marti, Xochitl Luna; Harvey, Alexandra; Ali, Heba Dakrory; Meisel, Zachary F.; Grande, David; Lenstra, Noah; Cannuscio, Carolyn C.

doi:10.1007/s10900-021-01048-2

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Evidence from this study comports with findings from media reports that suggest 2.2% of all US public libraries accepted the free doses, and another multi-state survey that showed that only 1.2% of libraries with naloxone had acquired it through the manufacturer initiative. 8,13 Was this low rate of uptake due to preferences of libraries (or their leaders), or was it a result of specific manufacturer program features, such as onerous paperwork? Given the potential lifesaving benefits of naloxone, the reasons for the manufacturer's programmatic failure should be explored further.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Findings from this study reinforce prior reports that between 10-17% of libraries had experienced an on-site overdose in a one-year period. 8,9 Given that drug use and overdose occur in public libraries, institutional responses must become part of our public health approach to preventing overdose deaths.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Public libraries have emerged as promising sites for harm reduction interventions and overdose response efforts. [6][7][8][9] Public libraries host over one billion annual visits and serve as information hubs and safety nets for vulnerable populations. 10 Library staff report routinely answering patron concerns regarding health, and prior research has shown that approximately half of library staff specifically offered mental health and substance use-related assistance in the prior month.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence suggests that approximately 12% of US public libraries have had an on-site overdose in the prior year. 8,9…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Substance Use and Overdose in Pennsylvania Libraries, 2019

Feuerstein-Simon,

Lowenstein,

Szapary

et al. 2024

Preprint

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This study examines the implementation of naloxone distribution initiatives in Pennsylvania public libraries following a nationwide program offering free Narcan. We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey with a random sample of Pennsylvania public libraries (n=352). Overall, nearly one-quarter of respondents reported stocking naloxone (23.9%), and over one in ten libraries reported a previous on-site overdose (11.9%). Nearly 30% of respondents had received naloxone training. Significant predictors of on-site overdoses included the library’s county urbanization status and higher county-level overdose mortality rates. Among libraries that stocked naloxone, 73% obtained the medication from local health departments or community-based organizations. This study underscores the role of public libraries in opioid overdose crisis response and the need for tailored strategies to enhance naloxone accessibility, especially in high-risk urban areas. Collaboration between libraries, public health entities, and pharmaceutical companies is crucial to amplify naloxone distribution efforts and address the escalating opioid overdose crisis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence suggests that approximately 12% of US public libraries have had an on-site overdose in the prior year. 8,9…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Substance Use and Overdose in Pennsylvania Libraries, 2019

Feuerstein-Simon,

Lowenstein,

Szapary

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…A qualitative study conducted with 20 directors of North Carolina public libraries found that nearly half of participants reported their library systems or branches had been directly affected by the crisis, but only a small proportion have trained staff to respond to on-site overdoses, established formal policies on opioid use, or stocked naloxone (25%, 15%, and 10% respectively) [ 27 ]. A cross-sectional survey of 356 library staff in five states (Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, and Virginia) found that 12% of respondents had encountered at least one on-site overdose in the previous year and 0–33% of libraries in one state (Colorado) practiced naloxone stocking [ 28 ]. Other practices that libraries in this study adopted include installing syringe disposal containers and partnering with social workers and educators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Ohio public library systems respond to opioid-related substance use: a descriptive analysis of survey results

Schnell,

Zhao,

Schoenbeck

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background Public libraries in the United States have experienced increases in opioid-related substance use in their communities and on their premises. This includes fatal and non-fatal overdose events. Some libraries have adopted response measures in their branches to deter substance use or prevent overdose. A small number of libraries around the nation have decided to stock the opioid antagonist naloxone (Narcan) for staff to administer to patrons who experience overdose. This response measure has generated extensive media attention. Although Ohio ranks fourth in age-adjusted drug mortality rate in the United States, there has been no investigation of whether Ohio libraries are observing opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose events, or which measures they have adopted in response to these activities. We conducted a multimethod survey with Ohio public library directors to identify the response measures they have adopted. We present descriptive findings from the quantitative and qualitative items in our survey. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional 54-item multimethod survey of public library system directors (one per system) in Ohio. Directors of each of Ohio’s public library systems were invited to participate via email. Results Of 251 library systems, 56 responded (22.3% response rate), with 34 respondents (60.7%) indicating awareness of opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose on their premises. Most (n = 43, 76.8%) did not stock naloxone in their buildings. Over half (n = 34, 60.7%) reported implementing one or more non-naloxone response measures. These measures focus on improving security for staff and patrons, deterring opioid-related transactions (purchases and exchanges) and consumption, and providing educational events on substance use. Nearly half (n = 25, 47.2%) partner with community organizations to provide opioid response measures. A similar proportion reported adequate funding to respond to opioid-related substance use (n = 23, 45.1%), and most (n = 38, 74.5%) reported adequate support from their boards and communities. Few respondents have implemented evaluations of their response measures. Conclusions Ohio public libraries are responding to evidence of opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose on their premises with a range of measures that focus on substance use prevention and deterrence. Most Ohio library systems do not stock naloxone. Respondents indicated they prefer to call 911 and let first responders handle overdose events. The majority of respondents indicated their library systems have political capacity to respond to evidence of opioid-related substance use on their premises, but have limited operational and functional capacity. Findings suggest the need to revisit assumptions that public libraries are willing to stock naloxone to respond to overdose events, and that libraries have the resources to respond robustly to opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose on their premises.

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of VR Training for Crisis Communication Skills Development Among LIS Graduate Students

Dumas,

Williams,

Ogden

et al. 2023

Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Tech

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This research analyzes the results of a study that is part of a larger, interdisciplinary, and multi‐institutional project that examines the usability and effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) training for library and information science (LIS) graduate students and professionals in gaining skills for interacting effectively with patrons in crisis. This paper reports on key findings related to the effectiveness of VR training for teaching empathy, confidence, and de‐escalation skills for LIS graduate students. The findings illustrate that VR has the potential to impact LIS graduate education by reaching a wider audience that introduces training in low‐stakes, immersive environments and that does not pose harm to patrons in crisis. This study also contributes innovative approaches that support training in skills including empathy, confidence, and de‐escalation.

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Substance Use and Overdose in Public Libraries: Results from a Five-State Survey in the US

Cited by 16 publications

References 26 publications

Substance Use and Overdose in Pennsylvania Libraries, 2019

Substance Use and Overdose in Pennsylvania Libraries, 2019

How Ohio public library systems respond to opioid-related substance use: a descriptive analysis of survey results

Evaluating the Effectiveness of VR Training for Crisis Communication Skills Development Among LIS Graduate Students

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