Elmwood Park Public Library is partnering with the Cook County Department of Public Health to install a NARCAN® Nasal Spray Vending Machine that is stocked with free, life-saving medication. NARCAN®, or Naloxone Hydrochloride, has been proven effective to be used to reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by heroin, fentanyl, and certain prescription pain medications. The vending machine is located in the first floor lobby, across from the Circulation desk.
Expenses (procurement, installation, maintenance, and repair) are supported by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act1.
What is Naloxone?
"Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder."2
For more information, visit the National Institute of Drug Abuse's Naloxone DrugFacts webpage.2
Is Naloxone access permitted in public libraries?
Yes. Naloxone access and distribution are permitted in Illinois, including through public libraries.
Illinois has a statewide Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent Standing Order that specifically recognizes public libraries as eligible naloxone entities. Illinois law and the standing order support public libraries maintaining opioid overdose reversal medication and trained library staff administering it when needed.
Read the signed Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent Standing Order here: https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/documents/topics-services/opioids/opioid-overdose-reversal-agent-standing-order-10172025.pdf3
For more information on the Standing Order: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/opioids/overdose-reversal.html3
Why is the library offering Naloxone?
As part of the library's mission, our goal is to "empower individuals, enrich lives, and strengthen our community by continuing to provide access to information, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities."
As a public library, we encounter individuals from all walks of life, which may include opioid addiction. According to the Cook County Department of Public Health's opioid reports and data, "there were 686 opioid-involved overdose deaths in suburban Cook County in 2022. Almost 90% of these deaths involved fentanyl."4 After receiving free Naloxone spray by the Cook County Department of Public Health to be held at the service desks, we, then, coordinated a Naloxone training for our staff during our annual Staff Development Day. We received additional Naxolone spray to add to our first aid supplies. The library was then offered to host a vending machine, at no cost to the library.
In 2025, the Cook County Department of Public Health "collaborated with 50 businesses, libraries, colleges and community partners, which hosted community naloxone boxes containing free naloxone kits."5
Elmwood Park Public Library is located in the Circle of Elmwood Park, one of the central hubs for the community that hosts events which bring in visitors from across Illinois. Additionally, the library is located just off of Grand Avenue, a major roadway linking the western suburbs and Chicago. It is also a convenient location for public transportation via the Metra Milwaukee West Line across the street.
Due to these factors, we believe it is important to provide access to this resource to everyone visiting the library.
For more information, please visit the Cook County Department of Health's Opioid Overdose Prevention Dashboard.5
How do I use Naloxone?
Remember the 3 steps: Lay. Spray. Stay.
Step 1: Lay the person in a comfortable position on their back and tilt their head up.
Step 2: Spray – Insert naloxone into the nostril and spray, pushing firmly.
Step 3: Stay – Put the person on their side until help arrives.
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For more information, visit: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/how-to-use-naloxone/6
Where else is Naloxone distributed?
Visit Cook County Department of Public Health's website to view a map of Naloxone community boxes around Cook County.
https://cookcountypublichealth.org/where-to-get-free-naloxone/7
What else does the library offer?
The Cook County Department of Public Health has also provided the library with the following harm reduction8 supplies:
- Rapid Response Fentanyl Test Strips
- Rapid Response Xylazine Test Strips
- Rapid Response Medetomidine Test Strips
- Rapid Response Benzodiazepine Test Strips
Fentanyl Test Strip Training Video
A "How to use a fentanyl test strip" handout is available next to the vending machine.
For more information, visit: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/fentanyl-test-strip-training-video/9
Where can I access additional Harm Reduction supplies and support?
The Cook County Department of Public Health's Mental Health & Substance10 abuse webpage has community partnerships, trainings, outreach, and risk reduction supply request forms.
Does the library offer a Naloxone training program?
The library will provide a Naloxone training program in partnership with the Cook County Department of Public Health.
Our first program will be held on Monday, October 19th at 5:15pm. NARCAN™ Training
"In this program, The Cook County Department of Public Health presents the statistics surrounding opioid use, emerging trends, how to respond to an opioid overdose, and how to use life-saving Naloxone (NARCAN™) nasal spray as well as how to use fentanyl test strips."
Additionally, the library is working with Youth Outreach Services for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
"National Prescription Drug Take Back Day happens every April and October and is an opportunity for people to drop off their unused medications, no questions asked, for disposal. The organization will coordinate to have a law enforcement officer present at the event who will bring a locked receptacle where patrons can drop their medication, and they will take it with them when the event is over. We will also have members present to provide information and resources for patrons who come by the event, such as places where they can drop off medication year-round."
Sources:
1Reports. Cook County - American Rescue Plan. (n.d.). https://arpa.cookcountyil.gov/reports
2U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2026, March 6). Naloxone drugfacts. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone
3Illinois Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Opioid overdose reversal agents. Illinois Department of Public Health. https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/opioids/overdose-reversal.html
4The Opioid Epidemic. Cook County Department of Public Health. (2026b, January 14). https://cookcountypublichealth.org/mental-health-and-substance-use/opioids/
5Cook County/chicago joint opioid report shows third-year decline in opioid overdose deaths. Cook County Department of Public Health. (2026b, July 16). https://cookcountypublichealth.org/2026/06/24/cook-county-chicago-joint-opioid-report-shows-third-year-decline-in-opioid-overdose-deaths/
6Cook County Department of Public Health. (2025, September 3). How to use Naloxone. Cook County Department of Public Health. https://cookcountypublichealth.org/how-to-use-naloxone/
7Cook County Department of Public Health. (2026, August 21). Get Naloxone. Cook County Department of Public Health. https://cookcountypublichealth.org/get-naloxone/
8Harm reduction. Rapid response diagnostic test kits online Canada - BTNX Inc. (n.d.). https://www.btnx.com/category/harm-reduction
9Fentanyl test strip training video. Cook County Department of Public Health. (2025b, April 8). https://cookcountypublichealth.org/fentanyl-test-strip-training-video/
10Mental Health and Substance use. Cook County Department of Public Health. (2026c, June 4). https://cookcountypublichealth.org/mental-health-and-substance-use/
