Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman recently announced the launch of StopOverdoses.nj.gov, where residents can find pharmacies offering life-saving naloxone anonymously and at no cost.The initiative is part of the Murphy administration’s ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis and save lives by getting life-saving naloxone into as many hands as possible.Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.Under the Naloxone365 initiative, those ages 14 and older can request and obtain naloxone at participating pharmacies for free without having to provide a name or reason. No prescription is needed. One two-dose naloxone nasal spray kit is provided per visit.Gov. Phil Murphy announced the initiative in his January State of the State address. Since then, Human Services has partnered with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy to recruit pharmacies to join the program.As of today, 610 pharmacies are participating, and 40,687 naloxone kits have already been distributed. The department will continue working to get more pharmacies to join.Human Services has previously held special pharmacy naloxone giveaways in recent years, but this program enables consumers to obtain free naloxone any day of the year.“Naloxone is a safe, easy to use, fast-acting and effective nasal spray medication to reverse an overdose and save someone’s life,” Adelman said. “Making naloxone accessible and available for free and anonymously in pharmacies eliminates the most common barriers to the life-saving medication, helps reduce stigma, and ultimately may encourage people to seek treatment and long-term recovery. New Jerseyans can search StopOverdoses.nj.gov to find participating pharmacies in every county across the state. Keeping naloxone in your medicine cabinet is a good idea for any person, so please consider getting some today.”The Murphy administration last year launched Naloxone Direct, which gives eligible agencies the opportunity to request direct shipments of naloxone online anytime they need it. Among others, the eligible agencies for that program include first responder agencies, harm reduction agencies, county prosecutor’s offices, libraries and shelters.Through such various efforts, since 2018 Human Services has distributed about 270,000 two-dose naloxone kits throughout the state.Adelman urged anyone seeking addiction assistance to call 1-844-ReachNJ (732-2465), a 24-hour-a-day, seven day-a-week addictions help line, where people facing addiction or their friends and family can get immediate assistance and support from live, New Jersey-based, trained addiction counselors. ReachNJ assists callers regardless of their insurance status.
Learn more in the full news release.