COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Metropolitan Library locations now carry more than just books.

What You Need To Know

  • ADAMH reported 800 overdose deaths in 2020

  • The state of Ohio has administered over $200,000 to address the opioid crisis

  • NaloxBoxes can now be found in Columbus Metropolitan Library
  • Ohio has seen a 1,500% increase in naloxone availability the past three years 

  • All library staff is trained on how to use Naloxone

The Columbus Metropolitan Library partnered with the Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) to ensure each branch has a NaloxBox kit. 

Lauren Talbott is one of the thousands of Ohioans who have suffered from overdose and addiction.

“I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for Narcan,” said Talbott. She has suffered from substance abuse since she was 9 years old. Due to her addiction, she’s been homeless, unstable and thought she was at the point of no return. 

“I stayed in a storage unit once,” said Talbott. “I was the stereotypical image of what you think of when you think of a heroin addict.” 

In 2020, ADAMH reported overdose deaths in Franklin County climbed 47%, resulting in more than 800 deaths.

In response, the Ohio Department of Health distributed 90,000 doses of Naloxone, saving 15,000 lives.

Over the years, she attempted to get clean about 20 times.

Naloxone was the saving grace for each new chance she had to get clean.

Talbott said she’s received Narcan numerous times and each time gave her a chance to build the life she has today.

“It was almost like a light bulb went off in my head,” said Talbott. “I had it and I was going and I wanted it and that’s when I was finally able to do it, do the work that it took to get here.” 

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services allocated $242,442 to ADAMH that went toward purchasing 150 NaloxBox kits to put in public spaces in high-risk areas experiencing higher numbers of overdoses. Those spaces include the Columbus Metropolitan Library, which serves thousands of visitors a year. 

Twelve of the 22 locations are already equipped with the kits and the other 10 are expected to be placed within the first quarter of 2022.

“Having this Narcan and these NaloxBoxes available to those who might need it is an important component to the response things that we have here at the library,” said Donna Zuiderweg, chief community engagement officer for the Columbus Metropolitan Library. 

Over the past three years, Ohio has seen a 1,500% increase in Naloxone availability.

Talbott turned her addiction into a tool to help others.

She now serves as Peer Recovery Supporter for the Southeast Healthcare REACT Team. She said Naloxone accessibility and education are vital in order to save lives.

“When you pick up a box of Narcan you make the decision to give someone else another chance at life,” said Talbott. “There's no, 'oh I don't need that because I don't use it.' You can’t administer Narcan to yourself, and we are worth saving. We do recover.” 

Columbus Metropolitan Library equip all of their staff with training on how to administer Naloxone in case a visitor experiences an overdose. 

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