SAVE-A-LIFE-FOR-FREE –
Jan. 23, 2023 – New Jersey’s government has held naloxone “giveaways” in years past. Since 2018, the state’s Department of Human Services has distributed around 186,000 two-dose naloxone kits. And last year, 54,000 of the kits were distributed, according to the press release.
But until now, naloxone has been available through pharmacies only with a prescription, according to an email to Filter from the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Now, some pharmacies have already started to participate in the program, and the department is “working and encouraging more pharmacies to join so we will have widespread participation soon,” the email stated.
Caitlin O’Neill, director of harm reduction services with the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition, was glad to hear of the decision. They said that the organization has been advocating for this change since 2018. Since people previously needed both a prescription and the money to pay for naloxone—either out-of-pocket or using insurance—the move is “taking down a major barrier,” they said.
