Cindy Grove's Blog

Today the JAMA published a letter that mentions the over 70,000 deaths related to overdoses in 2019 and the approximately 50% in overdoses in 2020. This is exactly what I feared would happen during the pandemic. People in our communities are in crisis, they are struggling emotionally, fiscally, and physically. The hierarchy of needs has shifted dramatically for many people and they need access to services and support that are unavailable because of the pandemic. I am not able to check in with patrons and families in recovery or offer a space where if they were to overdose someone is around to get them help. When I was working for an elder service agency providing social services to homebound seniors we would always get an increase in calls for support or to report elder abuse or neglect around Thanksgiving and Christmas. For many of the seniors it was one of the few times a year when a family member, friend, or support agency would reach out.

As cases of COVID-19 increase once again I encourage you all to reach out to one another. To friends and family that you have not spoken to in a while. Please keep communicating and encourage them to communicate. If you think someone is struggling do not pretend to not notice or think that they will figure it out. As librarians we may not have buildings to visit but we have the ability to provide them access to resources that they need. It could be the number of some hotlines, online support groups or it could be a call to the local police if you think they are in immediate danger to themselves or someone else.

I am beginning to work on ways to reach out virtually (realizing this means that only part of my community will be reached) to make sure that our community knows that help is available and to pull together resources for families and friends that do discover someone they love that needs help before it is to late. I encourage you to think of ways to reach out to your community as well.

Please share your experiences in the comments below.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4218?guestAccessKey=7db2cb49-0c7b-4fee-aea8-5cc80ca4b21d&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=120320

This year’s election has been at the forefront of minds across the nation. Besides the Presidential election, many states voted to legalize marijuana and Oregon’s vote on drug decriminalizing. Oregon became the first state to decriminalize all drugs with the overwhelming support of voters.

This vote does not mean that drugs are legal. It does mean that the offense is no longer criminal and results in a maximum fine of $100 and participation in an addiction treatment program that will be partly funded by taxes on marijuana sales.

There are many reasons why this change is so exciting. This will encourage a shift in thinking about those with a substance use disorder as criminals to people with a disorder. I am optimistic in this addressing the racial disparities between race in arrests as minorities are far more likely to be arrested for drug possession.

As this law comes into effect I will be watching closely to see how this affects the recovery of those battling substance use disorders. Hopefully, this will be the first step in many to treat instead of punishing people in crisis.

Unless you have experienced addiction first hand (which many of us have done in one form or another) it is impossible to understand and support those who are struggling or in recovery. As I mentioned in my last post about the presidential debate, it is common for people struggling with addiction to be stigmatized or blamed for their own illness. In my many years or working in the field of social services and library science I have NEVER heard anyone say that they enjoyed or wanted to be addicted to drugs. They know what they have lost and risk losing. What they need from us is unending support and understanding.

One way in which I encourage everyone (especially librarians) to do this is to read or listen to the those who have faced addiction. Memoirs and testimonials are powerful tools for understanding. Recently Russell Brand posted a video talking about his story of addiction and I recommend that you watch this short video. I also would encourage you to read a memoir and have started a list of books that I recommend.

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, and a great way to educate the public about the importance of prevention. It is also true that the best way to combat the opioid crisis and prevent the further loss of community members is to prevent use at the start. Education around the use of prescription medications and proper disposal is just one easy way to reach out.

Months like the National Substance Abuse Prevention Month are great ice breakers for libraries to have natural conversations with the public around important issues. Having a physical or digital display or promoting proper medicine disposal though your local police or agency. Below is a photo of a physical display I once did at the library that included books, movies, and resource guides created by the library and for local support agencies.

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During the recent presidential debate President Trump attacked Joe Biden’s son Hunter for being discharged from the military because of his drug use.

Hunter has spoken openly about his discharge and his use of alcohol, cocaine, and crack. He has also spoken about his journey with recovery and the successes and relapses he has faced over the years. I admire Hunter’s courage in speaking openly about his struggle as it puts a face to the disease and shows that addiction is part of most families. Speaking out about addiction is a powerful tool to combat the damaging stigma and bringing necessary attention to this deadly disease.

Joe Biden’s response to President Tump’s statement was a powerful one that brought tears to my eyes. Joe simply acknowledged his son’s struggle with a substance use disorder and stated that he is proud of his son. Choosing recovery and fighting for it is a massive undertaking that takes a fight that not every person is capable of.

I was so glad to hear Joe Biden’s statement of support for his son and I hope Hunter Biden knows that he has a (hopefully growing) number of people that are also in support of him. From my quick search online to the comments after the debate I was warmed by the outpouring of support for Hunter’s continued success in his recovery. I wish him all the best in his recovery and efforts to educate our nation by his experience.

When people speak openly about their struggles or the struggle of friends or family in the media, it can be an ice breaker moment for libraries to discuss this issue with those around us. There is a great power in shared experiences and empathy.

This small book by Warren Graham packs a powerful punch. Graham gives twelve clear steps for libraries to adopt: establish rules and guidelines, not make assumptions, treat everyone fairly, enforce rules consistently, be aware of the library environment, have documentation to track issues and policies to prevent those issues, train staff and volunteers, know who has the keys to various areas of the library, review policies and procedures regularly, have a security checklist, develop relationships with outside groups, and have simple emergency plans.

Many years ago felt overwhelmed by the behaviors I was seeing while working at the Tewksbury Public Library. It was my lack of understanding that drew me to this book and Warren Graham. I was extremely fortunate to be able to meet Warren at a lecture he was given at the Chelmsford Public Library. His book and lecture changed who I was as a librarian and I am proud to say changed the way behavior issues were handled at the Tewksbury Public Library. I was no longer overwhelmed and felt like I had the power to stop problems as they occurred and prevent others from happening.

A few years ago at the Rockport Pubic Library I was able to have Warren Graham give that lecture to my staff and trustees and to the staff of other libraries in the state. Here is a link to a newspaper article discussing the training. It was wonderful to have a full house of librarians looking to make the same changes. Warren stated that he was retiring due to his own frustrations with how libraries were not addressing behaviors related to the opioid crisis. I hope he changes his mind and provides us with another edition of this essential book.

Journalist David Sheff’s memoir is a beautifully heartfelt story about his son’s (Nic) addiction to methamphetamines and how this impacted him and their family. David talks candidly about his struggle to help Nic and protect his family. I have received great feedback from many friends and families of those struggling with addiction about how this book made them realize that they are not alone.

In 2019 I had the pleasure of hearing David Sheff speak and he spoke about the importance of libraries while Nic was struggling. He stated that while his son was out of his house Nic would connect with loved ones by using library computers to send emails.

I would also recommend listening to the NNLM webinar “Author David Sheff – A Myth Shattering Look at Addiction, Prevention, and Treatment, Based on Research”. Where David Sheff shares his research and experience.

The opioid epidemic, and other behavioral health issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, directly impact every community across the nation; and, by extension, public libraries’ daily work. Because libraries are not only trusted guardians of information but also vital community centers, people struggling with addictive behaviors as well as their family members and friends often turn to the library for help. But many library workers feel overwhelmed, finding themselves unprepared for serving these patrons in an effective and empathetic way. This book encourages readers to turn their fears and uncertainty into strengths and empowerment, offering to-the-point guidance on welcoming people with substance use disorders and their loved ones through policy, materials, outreach, collaboration, programs, and services. Written by a frontline librarian whose personal experiences inform the book, this resource

explores the library’s role in the fight against addiction and how to become part of the solution by combating stigma;provides background on understanding how substance abuse and related behaviors affect different age groups and populations;explains how to be proactive regarding library safety and security by carefully crafting library policies and effectively communicating them to staff;offers real world guidance on training library staff, including pointers on recognizing observable signs of drug abuse and responding appropriately and safely to uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations;   discusses safeguards such as a needle disposal unit, defibrillator, and Naloxone;gives tips on marketing, outreach, and programming, from putting together displays of materials and resources to partnering with local organizations; andrecommends useful websites, documentaries, and additional resources for further learning.

By making their own contributions to changing the way people struggling with substance abuse are treated in society, libraries can demonstrate that resilience can transcend crisis.

Purchase from ALA (print and ebook)

Purchase from Amazon.com

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