{"id":15448,"date":"2019-11-19T14:41:50","date_gmt":"2019-11-19T14:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/ner\/?p=15448"},"modified":"2019-11-19T14:52:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-19T14:52:46","slug":"a-librarian-can-address-substance-use-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_7\/2019\/11\/19\/a-librarian-can-address-substance-use-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"A Librarian Can Address Substance Use Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is conference session for my job at the\u00a0National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region<\/a>. That means I get to attend lots of different conferences and meet and connect with a lot of different people. I was at NAHSL last week, and then I attended the symposium, Communities in Crisis: Libraries Respond to the Opioid Epidemic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Communities in Crisis: Libraries Respond to the Opioid Epidemic<\/a>\u00a0symposium is aimed at librarians and how they respond to Substance Use Disorder. This is an unfortunate necessity. Mainly public librarians, but other libraries as well, are having to address substance use in their communities and in the library. Patrons, coworkers, their own families \u2013 almost everyone has been exposed to or had to deal with someone affected by Substance Use Disorder. There are well over 100 people here at this symposium today, which is enough of a testament to how important this topic is.<\/p>\n

From the OCLC\u2019s report\u00a0Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities<\/a>, \u201cThe United States is experiencing an opioid epidemic, and public libraries across the country are choosing to respond to this public health emergency locally. As central community institutions open to all, public libraries are finding themselves on the front lines of the opioid crisis. Together with community partners, public libraries are providing critically needed information and services, organizing education and training events, and supporting prevention and recovery efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Side note on language; the proper terminology is Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Not, drug abuse, or substance misuse, addict, etc. SUD is less stigmatizing and acknowledges that it is a chronic medical condition, rather than a moral failing. Also, while there is a huge focus on the opioid crisis right now, there are many other substances and issues that people may be dealing with.)<\/p>\n

I truly wish this was not a topic that libraries had to address. But they do, and libraries are in an important position in the community. My job while attending the symposium is to help librarians have the information tools and resources for their own edification and to share with patrons. I think that given the controversy and misinformation that often surrounds SUD, it is more important than ever to make sure people are getting good, reliable, vetted information. Here are a few of the resources I am promoting:<\/p>\n