Under the state Department of Human Service’s Naloxone365 initiative, people aged 14 years and older can get naloxone, the opioid overdose antidote free at 664 pharmacies, without needing to provide a name or reason. A two-dose naloxone nasal spray kit is given to anyone in need, no prescription needed. Naloxone rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

“We want naloxone in every New Jersey medicine cabinet, so I urge residents to continue visiting our participating pharmacies. You never know when you may need to save a life,” said Lisa Asare, deputy commissioner for health services.

More than 132,000 doses of naloxone were issued during the first year of the program. The department has also distributed naloxone to first responders, libraries, schools, colleges, public institutions, harm-reduction entities. According to DHS, the Murphy administration has now provided a total of 614,000 doses through those outlets and to the public.

“Naloxone saves lives, and is also an opportunity to give people a chance to treat the effects substance use disorder has on their lives,” said Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke, who oversees the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “Naloxone availability is a top priority of our ongoing work to reverse the tide of this epidemic. We hope to get even more naloxone into our communities in the year to come.”