(Camden, N.J.) – Camden County residents can now visit StopOverdoses.nj.gov to find nearby pharmacies that allows anyone over the age of 14 to anonymously acquire free Naloxone, an overdose reversal drug also known as Narcan. This was made possible thanks to the Naloxone365 Initiative recently launched by the state.
There are currently 45 participating pharmacies throughout Camden County as well as another 565 throughout the state.
“This is another big step forward for harm reduction here in Camden County and in New Jersey,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr., liaison to the county’s Addition Awareness Taskforce. “I want to applaud all parties involved in making this program a reality as it will change the trajectory of overdoses here in our state in a positive way.”
The program’s anonymity guarantee allows pharmacies to bypass the stigma that prevents people from purchasing Narcan or seeking treatment themselves. The program also ensures that cost is never a barrier for those in need.
Naloxone365 has already distributed over 40,000 kits, each equipped with two doses.
“We have and will continue to take every step available to us until this epidemic is eradicated,” Cappelli continued. “Naloxone is a lifesaving drug and making it more widely and easily accessible will most certainly make an impact on the overdose crisis here in New Jersey.”
The Naloxone365 program will work in tandem with the county’s other initiatives to make Naloxone more accessible. So far, the county has installed Naloxone boxes throughout the county park system and every public school from Camden to Winslow Township.
Additionally, the county provides various harm-reduction services related to opioid use disorder including free Narcan training sessions, fentanyl test strips, NaloxBoxes for social service organizations and mental health support for those who have lost a loved one to substance use disorder.
Anyone seeking addiction assistance should call 1-844-ReachNJ (732-2465), which provides free professional support for those facing addiction and their loved ones. If you are a Camden County resident suffering from substance abuse disorder, please call the Office of Mental Health and Addiction at (856) 374-6361.