TEDMED 2017
Chera Kowalski: The critical role librarians play in the opioid crisis
Chera Kowalski: O rol clave dos bibliotecarios na crise de opioides
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As bibliotecas públicas sempre foron máis que libros e a súa misión como apoio á comunidade adquire unha nova urxencia durante a actual epidemia de opioides. Despois de ser testemuña de sobredoses na súa biblioteca en Filadelfia, Chera Kowalski aprendeu a administrar naloxona, un medicamento que reverte os efectos dos narcóticos, e que utiliza para salvar vidas. Nesta charla persoal comparte a realidade da vida diaria na fronte de batalla da crise de opioides e ínstanos a cada un de nós a procurar novas formas de manter as nosas comunidades sas e seguras.
Chera Kowalski - Librarian
Chera Kowalski is championing the transformation of her library into a safe, responsive space for the community it serves. Full bio
Chera Kowalski is championing the transformation of her library into a safe, responsive space for the community it serves. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
When you walk into your
neighborhood public library,
neighborhood public library,
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Cando entras
na biblioteca pública do teu barrio,
na biblioteca pública do teu barrio,
00:15
you expect the librarian
to help you find your next favorite book
to help you find your next favorite book
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esperas que o bibliotecario che axude
a atopar o teu próximo libro favorito
a atopar o teu próximo libro favorito
00:19
or some accurate information
on a topic at interest.
on a topic at interest.
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ou algunha información específica
sobre un tema que che interesa.
sobre un tema que che interesa.
00:22
You don't probably expect the librarian
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O que probablemente
non esperes do bibliotecario
non esperes do bibliotecario
00:25
to come running out from behind
the reference desk with Narcan,
the reference desk with Narcan,
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é que saia correndo do mostrador
con Narcan,
con Narcan,
00:28
ready to revive someone
overdosing on heroin or fentanyl.
overdosing on heroin or fentanyl.
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preparado para salvar a alguén
dunha sobredose de heroína ou fentanil.
dunha sobredose de heroína ou fentanil.
00:34
But this is happening at some libraries.
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Pero isto está pasando
nalgunhas bibliotecas.
nalgunhas bibliotecas.
00:37
Public libraries have always been
about community support
about community support
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As bibliotecas públicas serviron
sempre de apoio á comunidade
sempre de apoio á comunidade
00:40
with all kinds of services and programs
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con todo tipo de servizos e programas,
00:42
from assisting with job seeking efforts
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dende axudando a buscar emprego
00:45
to locating resources for voter rights
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ata provendo de recursos
para os dereitos dos votantes
para os dereitos dos votantes
00:47
to providing free meals
to kids and teens even.
to kids and teens even.
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e mesmo ofrecendo comida de balde
a cativos e adolescentes.
a cativos e adolescentes.
00:51
But what we think of as community support
takes on new urgency
takes on new urgency
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Pero o que entendemos por apoio
á comunidade adquire unha nova urxencia
á comunidade adquire unha nova urxencia
00:55
when you're in the middle
of an opioid and overdose crisis.
of an opioid and overdose crisis.
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cando estás no medio dunha
crise de opioides e de sobredoses.
crise de opioides e de sobredoses.
00:59
I work at the McPherson Square Library
of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
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Traballo na Biblioteca da Praza McPherson
da Biblioteca Pública de Filadelfia.
da Biblioteca Pública de Filadelfia.
01:03
It's located in Kensington,
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Está situada en Kensington,
01:05
one of the lowest income
communities in Philadelphia,
communities in Philadelphia,
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unha das poboacións
con menos ingresos de Filadelfia,
con menos ingresos de Filadelfia,
01:08
with a long history of being isolated
from resources and opportunity.
from resources and opportunity.
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cunha longa historia de privación
de recursos e oportunidades.
de recursos e oportunidades.
01:13
And because of that,
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E por iso,
01:14
it has been the center to the city's
drug trade and drug use for decades.
drug trade and drug use for decades.
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durante décadas foi o centro de tráfico
e consumo de drogas da cidade.
e consumo de drogas da cidade.
01:20
And so inside the neighborhood,
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No interior do barrio,
01:22
our library is nestled inside of a park,
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a nosa biblioteca está situada
dentro dun parque
dentro dun parque
01:25
which has unfortunately
garnered a reputation
garnered a reputation
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que lamentablemente colleu a fama
01:28
for being a place to find and use drugs,
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de ser un lugar onde atopar
e consumir estupefacientes,
e consumir estupefacientes,
01:30
especially heroin,
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especialmente heroína,
01:32
out in the open,
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ao aire libre,
01:34
putting us and the community
in direct contact
in direct contact
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poñéndonos a nós e á poboación
en contacto directo
en contacto directo
01:38
with the drug trade
and use on a daily basis.
and use on a daily basis.
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co tráfico e consumo diario de drogas.
01:41
And so inside the library,
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E no interior da biblioteca,
01:43
it is routine to see people
visibly intoxicated on opioids:
visibly intoxicated on opioids:
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é moi común atopar xente
visiblemente intoxicada por opioides:
visiblemente intoxicada por opioides:
01:46
eyes closing, body swaying slowly.
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ollos pechados, movementos
lentos e inestables...
lentos e inestables...
01:49
It is routine for me
to ask them if they are OK,
to ask them if they are OK,
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É común para min
preguntarlles se están ben
preguntarlles se están ben
e ao mesmo tempo lembrarlles que
se non poden manter os ollos abertos,
se non poden manter os ollos abertos,
01:52
but at the same time remind them
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01:54
if they can't keep their eyes open,
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teñen que marchar.
01:56
they have to go.
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01:57
It is routine for our volunteer, Teddy,
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É común que Teddy, o noso voluntario,
02:01
to pick up dozens of discarded needles
on our property and throughout the park.
on our property and throughout the park.
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recolla decenas de xiringas desbotadas
pola propiedade e por todo o parque.
pola propiedade e por todo o parque.
E é normal que os rapaces
entren á biblioteca
entren á biblioteca
02:07
And it is normal for kids
to come into the library
to come into the library
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para dicirme a min
ou ao noso garda Sterling
ou ao noso garda Sterling
02:10
to tell me or our guard, Sterling,
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02:13
that someone is outside using,
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que alguén está fóra consumindo,
02:15
which typically means finding
someone injecting on our front steps,
someone injecting on our front steps,
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o que polo xeral significa atopar a alguén
inxectándose nas escaleiras da entrada,
inxectándose nas escaleiras da entrada,
02:19
benches
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nos bancos,
02:20
or near the building,
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ou preto do edificio.
02:21
then asking them to move along
because kids see them.
because kids see them.
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Entón pedímoslles que se vaian
porque os rapaces estanos vendo.
porque os rapaces estanos vendo.
02:25
And it is normal for the community
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E é normal que a comunidade
02:27
to see people in various states
of intoxication and withdrawal,
of intoxication and withdrawal,
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vexa xente en varios estados
de intoxicación e de abstinencia,
de intoxicación e de abstinencia,
02:31
to see people buying and selling,
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vexa xente mercando ou vendendo,
02:34
and to see people act and react violently.
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e que vexa xente actuar e reaccionar
dunha forma violenta.
dunha forma violenta.
02:38
I'm not sharing this
to sensationalize Kensington.
to sensationalize Kensington.
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Non estou contando isto
para facer sensacionalismo con Kensington.
para facer sensacionalismo con Kensington.
02:42
I'm sharing this because
this is the reality of a community
this is the reality of a community
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Fágoo porque esta
é a realidade dunha comunidade
é a realidade dunha comunidade
02:46
that is constantly striving
to move forward,
to move forward,
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que loita todo o tempo por saír adiante,
02:50
but due to factors like structural racism,
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pero debido a factores
como o racismo estrutural,
como o racismo estrutural,
02:52
urban segregation,
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a segregación urbana,
02:54
the cyclical nature of poverty,
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a natureza cíclica da pobreza,
02:56
of trauma --
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do trauma...
02:57
the community has inequitable access
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a comunidade ten acceso desigual
03:00
to education, health care,
employment and more.
employment and more.
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á educación, atención médica,
emprego e moito máis.
emprego e moito máis.
03:04
And this is also what it's like
when the drug trade and use
when the drug trade and use
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E isto é o que acontece
cando o tráfico e consumo de drogas
cando o tráfico e consumo de drogas
03:08
affects every aspect
of life in the neighborhood.
of life in the neighborhood.
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afecta a cada aspecto da vida no barrio.
03:12
And the opioid epidemic
has only amplified that stress.
has only amplified that stress.
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E a epidemia de opioides non fixo
máis que amplificar ese estrés.
máis que amplificar ese estrés.
03:16
When I was hired
by the Free Library in 2013,
by the Free Library in 2013,
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Cando me contrataron
para a Biblioteca Pública en 2013,
para a Biblioteca Pública en 2013,
03:19
I specifically chose to work at McPherson
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escollín traballar
especificamente en McPherson
especificamente en McPherson
03:22
because I understand what it's like
to grow up in an environment
to grow up in an environment
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porque sei o que é medrar nun ambiente
03:25
where substance use disorder
shapes the everyday,
shapes the everyday,
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onde o trastorno por consumo de
estupefacientes moldea o día a día,
estupefacientes moldea o día a día,
03:29
and I wanted to use
those personal experiences
those personal experiences
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e quería utilizar
esas experiencias persoais
esas experiencias persoais
03:31
as a guide for my work.
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como guía para o meu traballo.
03:34
But before I get to that,
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Pero antes de chegar a iso,
03:35
I want to share what it was like
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quero compartir como foi
03:37
to witness this epidemic
grow in Kensington.
grow in Kensington.
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ser testemuña do crecemento
desta epidemia en Kensington.
desta epidemia en Kensington.
Como moitas outras comunidades,
simplemente non estabamos preparados.
simplemente non estabamos preparados.
03:41
Like many other communities,
we were just not prepared.
we were just not prepared.
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Puxémonos a tomar nota
das identificacións que viamos:
das identificacións que viamos:
03:44
We began to take notice
of IDs we were seeing:
of IDs we were seeing:
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03:46
addresses from nearby and upstate counties
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enderezos próximos e do norte do condado
03:49
and then slowly out-of-state ones.
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e despois, aos poucos,
os de fóra do estado.
os de fóra do estado.
03:52
People from Arkansas,
Ohio, South Carolina, Alabama
Ohio, South Carolina, Alabama
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Xente de Arkansas, Ohio,
Carolina do Sur, Alabama
Carolina do Sur, Alabama
03:56
coming to Philadelphia for cheap heroin.
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vindo a Filadelfia por heroína barata.
04:00
People began to linger longer
and longer in our public restroom,
and longer in our public restroom,
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A xente comezou a demorarse cada vez
máis e máis tempo no noso baño público,
máis e máis tempo no noso baño público,
04:04
causing us to pay
more attention to the restroom
more attention to the restroom
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facendo que prestaramos
máis atención ao baño
máis atención ao baño
04:06
than to our daily responsibilities
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que ás nosas responsabilidades cotiás
04:08
because it was an accessible place
to use drugs just purchased.
to use drugs just purchased.
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porque era un lugar accesible
para consumir drogas acabadas de mercar.
para consumir drogas acabadas de mercar.
04:12
One day our toilet clogged
so badly in the restroom,
so badly in the restroom,
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Un día o inodoro do noso baño
atascouse de tal xeito,
atascouse de tal xeito,
que nos vimos forzados a pechar
a biblioteca durante dous días,
a biblioteca durante dous días,
04:16
we were forced to close
our library for two days
our library for two days
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04:19
because the culprit of the clog
was discarded needles.
was discarded needles.
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xa que as culpables da obstrución
foran as xiringas desbotadas.
foran as xiringas desbotadas.
04:22
For a while prior to that incident,
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Un tempo antes do incidente
estiveramos insistindo en pór
estiveramos insistindo en pór
04:25
we had been asking for a sharps
container for the restroom,
container for the restroom,
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recipientes para obxectos
cortantes no baño,
cortantes no baño,
e despois diso,
04:28
and after that,
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a administración da biblioteca
rapidamente aprobou instalar un
rapidamente aprobou instalar un
04:29
the library administration
quickly approved installing one
quickly approved installing one
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04:32
along with hiring bathroom monitors.
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e contratou vixiantes para o baño.
04:36
And as the weather warmed,
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A medida que o tempo se puña cálido,
loitabamos por responder.
loitabamos por responder.
04:38
we struggled to respond.
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04:40
People began camping out
in the park for days, weeks.
in the park for days, weeks.
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A xente comezou a acampar no parque
durante días, semanas...
durante días, semanas...
04:44
You could walk outside
on a sunny, warm day
on a sunny, warm day
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Podías camiñar fóra nun día cálido de sol
04:46
to find multiple groups of people
in various states of intoxication
in various states of intoxication
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e atopar unha multitude
en varios estados de intoxicación
en varios estados de intoxicación
04:51
and children playing in between them.
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e rapaces xogando entre eles.
04:54
The amount of needles collected
by Teddy on a monthly basis skyrocketed
by Teddy on a monthly basis skyrocketed
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A cantidade de xiringas
que Teddy recollía por mes saltou
que Teddy recollía por mes saltou
04:59
from 100 to 300 to 500 to 800,
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de 100 a 300, a 500, a 800,
05:03
to over 1,000,
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ata máis de 1.000.
05:06
with many found on our front steps
and the playground.
and the playground.
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Moitas delas atopadas nas escaleiras
da entrada e no parque infantil.
da entrada e no parque infantil.
05:11
Then there were the overdoses.
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Despois estaban as sobredoses.
05:14
So many occurred outside in the park,
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Moitas ocorrían fóra no parque,
05:18
some inside the library.
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outras... dentro da biblioteca.
05:21
Sterling, our guard, would spend his time
walking in and out of the building
walking in and out of the building
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O noso garda Sterling pasaba o tempo
entrando e saíndo do edificio
entrando e saíndo do edificio
05:25
and throughout the park,
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e por todo o parque,
05:27
constantly making sure everyone was safe,
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asegurándose en todo momento
de que todo o mundo estivera ben.
de que todo o mundo estivera ben.
05:30
because at times,
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Porque por veces,
05:32
our fear of having someone
overdose and die came close.
overdose and die came close.
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o noso temor a que alguén
morrera de sobredose era real.
morrera de sobredose era real.
05:36
One overdose in particular
occurred after school,
occurred after school,
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Unha sobredose en concreto
ocorreu despois da escola,
ocorreu despois da escola,
05:39
so the library was full of kids,
noise and commotion.
noise and commotion.
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polo que a biblioteca estaba ateigada
de rapaces, ruído e barullo.
de rapaces, ruído e barullo.
05:42
And in all of that,
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E no medio de todo iso,
05:44
we heard the thud
from inside the public restroom.
from inside the public restroom.
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escoitamos un golpe seco
que proviña do baño público.
que proviña do baño público.
05:47
When we opened the door,
we found a man on the floor, unresponsive.
we found a man on the floor, unresponsive.
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Cando abrimos a porta, atopamos
un home no chan, inconsciente.
un home no chan, inconsciente.
05:50
He was pulled out
in plain sight of everyone --
in plain sight of everyone --
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Sacárono diante da vista de todos:
05:52
kids, teens, adults, families.
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nenos, adolescentes, adultos, familias...
05:55
Someone on staff called 911,
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Un empregado chamou ao 911,
05:57
someone else escorted the kids
and teens downstairs,
and teens downstairs,
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outro levou aos nenos e adolescentes
ao piso inferior,
ao piso inferior,
06:00
somebody went to flag down
the ambulance in the park.
the ambulance in the park.
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alguén foi avisar á
ambulancia no parque.
ambulancia no parque.
06:04
And the rest of us --
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E o resto de nós...
06:06
we just waited.
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tan só agardamos.
Convertérase no noso
adestramento en sobredose
adestramento en sobredose
06:08
This had become our overdose drill
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06:10
because at the time,
it was all we could do.
it was all we could do.
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porque nese momento,
era todo o que podíamos facer.
era todo o que podíamos facer.
06:13
So we waited and we watched
this man lose air --
this man lose air --
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Así que esperamos e vimos
a este home perder aire,
a este home perder aire,
06:16
seize up.
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paralizarse...
06:17
He was dying.
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Estaba morrendo...
06:19
I don't know how many of you
have witnessed an overdose on opioids,
have witnessed an overdose on opioids,
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Non sei cantos de vós presenciastes
unha sobredose de opioides,
unha sobredose de opioides,
06:23
but it's horrific
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pero é arrepiante
06:25
because you know the gasping for air,
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porque sabes
que a dificultade respiratoria,
que a dificultade respiratoria,
06:27
the loss of color in someone's face,
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a perda de cor na cara,
06:30
is a timer running down
on the chances of this person surviving.
on the chances of this person surviving.
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é unha conta atrás nas posibilidades
desta persoa para sobrevivir.
desta persoa para sobrevivir.
Pero por sorte para este home,
06:35
But luckily for this man,
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06:36
the ambulance arrived
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a ambulancia chegou
06:38
and he received a dose
of naloxone through injection.
of naloxone through injection.
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e inxectáronlle unha dose de naloxona.
06:42
And I remember he jolted
like he was electrocuted,
like he was electrocuted,
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E lembro que se sacudiu
como se se electrocutara,
como se se electrocutara,
06:45
and he pulled the needle out,
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sacou a xiringa,
06:47
and he told the paramedics to back off.
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e díxolles aos paramédicos
que o deixaran en paz.
que o deixaran en paz.
06:50
And then he stood up, and he walked out.
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E despois ergueuse e marchou.
06:54
And we --
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E nós...
06:55
we went back to work
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nós volvemos ao traballo
06:56
because people were still asking
for time on the computers,
for time on the computers,
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porque a xente seguía pedindo
utilizar os ordenadores,
utilizar os ordenadores,
07:00
kids still needed help with their homework
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os cativos aínda necesitaban
axuda cos deberes
axuda cos deberes
07:02
and this was our job --
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e este era o noso traballo,
a nosa función.
a nosa función.
07:03
our purpose.
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07:07
I think that incident stays with me
because of the waiting.
because of the waiting.
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Penso que teño o incidente na cabeza
por causa desa espera.
por causa desa espera.
07:11
It made me feel helpless.
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Fíxome sentir impotente.
07:13
And it was that feeling of helplessness
that reminded me so well of my childhood.
that reminded me so well of my childhood.
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E foi ese sentimento de impotencia
o que me lembrou moi ben a miña infancia.
o que me lembrou moi ben a miña infancia.
07:18
Before I was born,
both of my parents began using heroin.
both of my parents began using heroin.
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Antes de que nacera,
meus pais xa consumían heroína.
meus pais xa consumían heroína.
07:22
It made our lives chaotic and unstable:
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Iso fixo as nosas vidas
caóticas e inestables:
caóticas e inestables:
07:24
promises being made and constantly broken,
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promesas que se acababan rompendo,
07:27
their fighting,
the weight of their secret --
the weight of their secret --
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liortas, o peso do seu segredo,
07:29
the weight of our secret kept so much
so-called "normal" out of our lives.
so-called "normal" out of our lives.
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o peso do noso segredo mantivo fóra
das nosas vidas a chamada "normalidade".
das nosas vidas a chamada "normalidade".
07:35
Every time we'd be dropped off
at our grandparent's house,
at our grandparent's house,
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Cada vez que nos deixaban na casa dos avós
07:38
I'd be stuck on the thought
that I was never going to see them again.
that I was never going to see them again.
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quedaba atrapada no pensamento
de que nunca os volvería ver.
de que nunca os volvería ver.
07:41
Every time we'd be left in a car,
at a house, at a store,
at a house, at a store,
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Cada vez que nos deixaban nun
coche, nunha casa, nunha tenda...
coche, nunha casa, nunha tenda...
07:45
I'd cry.
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choraba.
07:47
And every time I saw those El tracks --
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E cada vez que vía esas vías de tren,
07:49
the same ones I take
to work now to McPherson --
to work now to McPherson --
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as mesmas que collo agora
para ir traballar a McPherson,
para ir traballar a McPherson,
07:52
from the backseat of a car,
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dende a parte de atrás dun coche,
07:54
I'd be angry,
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anoxábame,
07:56
because even kids know
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porque ata os nenos saben
07:58
when their parents
are trying to score drugs.
are trying to score drugs.
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cando os seus pais intentan mercar droga.
08:02
There was so little I could do
to control what was going on around me,
to control what was going on around me,
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Podía facer tan pouco para controlar
o que acontecía ao meu redor,
o que acontecía ao meu redor,
08:06
that that feeling of helplessness
was overwhelming.
was overwhelming.
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que esa sensación de impotencia
era insoportable.
era insoportable.
08:09
I struggled in school, struggled to read,
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Esforzábame na escola,
esforzábame para ler...
esforzábame para ler...
08:12
I was prone to anger and depression.
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Tiña tendencia á ira e á depresión.
08:14
When I was 11 years old,
I started smoking,
I started smoking,
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Cando tiña 11 anos comecei a fumar,
08:16
which shortly after led to my own
experiences with drugs and alcohol.
experiences with drugs and alcohol.
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o que pouco despois me levou a
experimentar co alcohol e as drogas.
experimentar co alcohol e as drogas.
08:21
I convinced myself that my parents' past
would be my future.
would be my future.
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Convencinme a min mesma de que o pasado
dos meus pais sería o meu futuro.
dos meus pais sería o meu futuro.
08:26
But eventually both of my parents
entered recovery
entered recovery
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Pero co tempo meus pais recuperáronse
e seguiron recuperándose
do consumo de opioides.
do consumo de opioides.
08:28
and maintained recovery from opioid use.
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08:31
And their strength and their commitment
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A súa forza e compromiso
08:33
provided support and stability
for me and my siblings,
for me and my siblings,
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déronnos apoio e estabilidade
aos meus irmáns e a min,
aos meus irmáns e a min,
08:37
and it was those personal experiences
that brought me to McPherson.
that brought me to McPherson.
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e foron esas experiencias persoais
as que me levaron a McPherson.
as que me levaron a McPherson.
08:41
Choosing to be a librarian
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Escoller ser bibliotecaria,
08:43
and choosing to be at McPherson
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e escoller selo en McPherson
08:45
was me letting go
of that feeling of helplessness
of that feeling of helplessness
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era eu mesma liberándome
desa sensación de impotencia
desa sensación de impotencia
08:48
and finding ways
to be supportive to others.
to be supportive to others.
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e atopando maneiras de ser
un apoio para outros.
un apoio para outros.
08:51
And one way to provide support
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E unha forma de axudar
08:53
was learning how to administer Narcan.
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era aprender a administrar Narcan.
08:56
Public libraries respond
to the needs of their communities,
to the needs of their communities,
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As bibliotecas públicas responden
ás necesidades das súas comunidades,
ás necesidades das súas comunidades,
09:00
and not knowing how to utilize Narcan
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e non saber como utilizar o Narcan
09:02
was a disservice
to the needs of our community.
to the needs of our community.
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implicaba un mal servizo
para as necesidades da nosa comunidade.
para as necesidades da nosa comunidade.
Estabamos na fronte de batalla
09:05
We were on the frontlines
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09:07
and desperately needed
access to this lifesaving tool.
access to this lifesaving tool.
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e necesitabamos desesperadamente
acceder a esta ferramenta salvavidas.
09:11
So finally in late February of 2017,
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Finalmente, a finais de febreiro de 2017,
09:14
after much advocating,
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logo de moito insistir,
09:16
we finally received training
from Prevention Point Philadelphia
from Prevention Point Philadelphia
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recibimos un adestramento
do "Punto de Prevención de Filadelfia"
do "Punto de Prevención de Filadelfia"
09:20
and about a month of so later,
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e contra un mes despois,
09:21
I utilized Narcan for the first time
to save someone's life.
to save someone's life.
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utilicei Narcan por primeira vez
para salvar a vida dunha persoa.
para salvar a vida dunha persoa.
Foi despois de clase outra vez
e Teddy entrou na biblioteca
e Teddy entrou na biblioteca
09:25
It was after school again,
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09:26
and Teddy came into the library
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dicindo que alguén tiña sobredose
nun banco dos de diante.
nun banco dos de diante.
09:28
and said someone was overdosing
on a front bench.
on a front bench.
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09:30
Someone on staff called 911 again,
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Un empregado chamou ao 911
de novo e eu collín o kit do Narcan.
de novo e eu collín o kit do Narcan.
09:32
and I grabbed the Narcan kit.
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09:34
The woman was barely in her 20s
and barely breathing.
and barely breathing.
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A muller tería uns escasos 20 anos
e apenas respiraba.
e apenas respiraba.
09:38
Her friend was frantically
slapping her in the face
slapping her in the face
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O seu amigo losqueáballe
freneticamente a cara
freneticamente a cara
09:40
in hopes of reviving her.
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con esperanzas de revivila.
09:42
I administered the Narcan nasally,
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Administreille Narcan por vía nasal,
09:44
and thankfully she came to.
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e por fortuna volveu en si.
09:46
But before the ambulance arrived,
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Pero antes de que chegase a ambulancia
09:48
she and her friend ran off.
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ela e o seu amigo xa fuxiran.
09:51
And when I finally turned around,
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E cando me xirei...
09:53
I saw the kids --
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Vin aos nenos...
09:55
kids that come into the library
on a daily basis,
on a daily basis,
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Rapaces que veñen á biblioteca
todos os días,
todos os días,
09:57
some that I have known for years --
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algúns que coñecía dende hai anos...
10:00
standing on the steps of the building.
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Parados nas escaleiras do edificio.
10:02
They saw everything.
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Viran todo.
10:04
And they didn't seem
like they were visibly upset or in shock,
like they were visibly upset or in shock,
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E non parecía que estivesen
moi afectados ou conmocionados,
moi afectados ou conmocionados,
10:08
and so I walked into the building,
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polo que entrei no edificio,
10:10
right into our workroom, and I cried.
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cara á sala de traballo... e chorei.
10:12
I cried partly from the shock
of what just happened
of what just happened
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Chorei en parte pola conmoción
do que acontecera,
do que acontecera,
10:15
because I never thought
I'd be saving anybody's life ever,
I'd be saving anybody's life ever,
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porque nunca pensei
que salvaría a vida de ninguén...
que salvaría a vida de ninguén...
10:19
but I mostly cried because of the kids.
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pero chorei sobre todo polos cativos.
10:21
This is their normal.
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É o normal para eles...
10:24
This is the community's normal.
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É o normal para a comunidade...
10:26
This is a catastrophic normal,
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É o catastroficamente normal,
10:29
and in that moment,
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e nese momento,
10:31
I was forced to confront once again
that this should never be normal,
that this should never be normal,
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vinme forzada a enfrontar unha vez máis
que isto nunca debería ser o normal.
que isto nunca debería ser o normal.
10:34
and as with my childhood,
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Como aconteceu na miña infancia,
10:36
when you're in it, you just accept it.
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cando te ves envolta
niso, tan só acéptalo.
niso, tan só acéptalo.
10:39
The opioid epidemic
is not just about those living
is not just about those living
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A epidemia de opioides non afecta tan só
a quen padece de trastornos polo consumo,
a quen padece de trastornos polo consumo,
10:42
with opioid use disorder
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porque o alcance da epidemia transcende
a quen vive con eles e ás familias.
a quen vive con eles e ás familias.
10:44
because the reach of the epidemic
goes well beyond those living with this
goes well beyond those living with this
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10:48
and their families.
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Afecta a toda a comunidade.
10:49
It impacts the entire community.
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10:52
Kensington was a community
in crisis before this
in crisis before this
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Kensington era unha comunidade
en crise antes disto
en crise antes disto
10:56
for reasons that are endemic
and intertwined,
and intertwined,
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por razóns endémicas e entrelazadas,
10:59
and anyone familiar
with the neighborhood can think of why:
with the neighborhood can think of why:
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e calquera que coñeza ben
o barrio sabe por que:
o barrio sabe por que:
diferenzas raciais,
11:02
racial disparities,
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650080
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11:03
failure of local and federal government
to properly fund schools,
to properly fund schools,
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o fracaso dos gobernos federal e local
ao investir de forma correcta nas escolas,
ao investir de forma correcta nas escolas,
11:08
lack of economic opportunity.
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falta de recursos económicos...
11:10
And what we're trying to do at McPherson
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E o que estamos tentando
facer en McPherson
facer en McPherson
11:13
is find ways to support
this community out of crisis.
this community out of crisis.
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é atopar formas de sacar
esta comunidade da crise.
esta comunidade da crise.
11:17
And perhaps now, because of the epidemic,
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E pode que agora, pola epidemia,
a xente preste máis atención a Kensington.
a xente preste máis atención a Kensington.
11:20
more people are paying
attention to Kensington.
attention to Kensington.
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Pero independentemente diso,
11:22
But regardless of that,
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11:24
at McPherson,
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en McPherson,
11:25
we will continue to do what we can
with the resources we have
with the resources we have
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seguiremos facendo o que poidamos
cos recursos que temos
cos recursos que temos
11:29
and we will continue to provide
whatever help we can
whatever help we can
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e seguiremos brindando
a axuda que faga falla
a axuda que faga falla
11:32
in hopes of keeping our community
safe and healthy
safe and healthy
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coa esperanza de manter
a nosa comunidade sa e segura,
a nosa comunidade sa e segura,
11:35
because public libraries
have always been more than just books.
have always been more than just books.
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porque as bibliotecas públicas
sempre foron máis que libros.
sempre foron máis que libros.
11:40
We are physical shelter,
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Somos un albergue,
11:42
a classroom,
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unha aula,
11:44
a safe haven,
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un refuxio seguro,
11:46
a lunch room,
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un comedor,
11:47
a resource hub
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un centro de recursos,
11:49
and yes,
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e si,
11:51
even a lifeline.
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tamén un salvavidas.
11:52
Thank you.
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Grazas.
11:53
(Applause)
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(Aplausos)
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Chera Kowalski - LibrarianChera Kowalski is championing the transformation of her library into a safe, responsive space for the community it serves.
Why you should listen
Chera Kowalski is revolutionizing the way public resources are meeting the needs of the communities they serve. As the Adult Teen Librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s McPherson Square Branch, this often means saving lives.
After witnessing drug overdoses firsthand at her library and the nearby park, Kowalski volunteered to receive training in overdose defense through Prevention Point Philadelphia and now advocates for training for other librarians and community members to learn how to administer naloxone -- a life-saving drug that reverses the effects of opioids -- to people in distress. Motivated by her personal experiences as the daughter of parents who have maintained recovery from opioid use, Kowalski is transforming her library into a safe, responsive space for her community that is able to help people with whatever they need in a supportive, judgment-free way. Kowalski is a graduate of Temple University's College of Liberal Arts and the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences.
Chera Kowalski | Speaker | TED.com