TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Human Services will be delivering naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, for free to participating shelters serving the homeless, Commissioner Carole Johnson announced Tuesday.

The shelter initiative is part of ongoing efforts to get naloxone, known more commonly under brand name Narcan, into as many hands as possible to help save lives, the department said.

Approximately 1,200 doses of the medication in its nasal spray form are being sent to shelters across the state, including the following in Newark: Circle of Life and Apostle’s House. Two other shelters in Essex County, Real House and Real House II will also receive the drug.

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The action comes on the heels of the department’s June 18 giveaway of 32,000 doses of naloxone at 174 participating New Jersey pharmacies that could be obtained without an individual prescription. It was considered the largest one-day free distribution in the country.

“Our goal is to save lives. We are doing everything we can to give this life-saving antidote to as many people as possible,” Johnson said. “We need all the help we can get in fighting this deadly epidemic. New Jerseyans responded in overwhelming numbers to the June naloxone giveaway, sending a message that, when given the chance, they want to save lives. This is another opportunity to help turn the tide of the opioid epidemic.”

Currently, there are 36 shelters throughout the state participating in the distribution. The naloxone delivered is free and does not require an individual prescription. The department expects more participants as the program continues.

“We are grateful to the participating shelters for their willingness to play such a vital role in this fight,” said Valerie Mielke, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Assistant Commissioner. “They are on the front lines, so we can certainly use their help.”

Additional participating shelters in other parts of New Jersey are:





Atlantic County

Atlantic City Rescue Mission

Bergen County

Bergen County Family Shelter

Center for Hope and Safety

Community Action Program Adult Center

Burlington County

Providence House – Catholic Charities

Belmont Homes

Cumberland County

Cumberland County Women’s Center (Center for Family Services)

Essex County

Real House I

Real House II

Circle of Life

Apostle’s House

Gloucester County

Center for Family Services (Mother/Child Residential SERV CFS)

SERV Gloucester County Women’s Services

Eleanor Corbett House

Mercer County

Trenton Treatment/UPI

Rescue Mission of Trenton

Amani House

Middlesex County

Ozanam Men’s Shelter

Ozanam Family Shelter (Catholic Charities)

Monmouth County

Monmouth Adult Shelter - Affordable Housing Alliance

180 Turning Lives Around

Morris County

Homeless Solutions

Ocean County

Providence House – Catholic Charities

Passaic County

St. Peter’s Haven

St. Paul’s Community Center

Salem County

Salem County’s Women’s Services

Somerset County

Safe and Sound

Agape House

Sussex County

Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Promise)

Domestic Abuse Services Inc.

Union County

Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Promise)

Warren County