Last year, New Jersey first responders used the overdose reversal drug naloxone more than 16,000 times in their efforts to bring back heroin and opioid users from the brink of death, authorities say.

There is still far more work to be done.

Now, state officials are gearing up to offer the drug, commonly known by its commercial name, Narcan, for free at pharmacies around the state.

“The scourge of opioids continues to devastate families and communities across our state, and we must do everything we can to end the opioid epidemic,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement Friday announcing the initiative.

The one-day pilot program, planned for June 18, was approved by the state Board of Pharmacy and is being run by the Department of Human Services.

People who visit any of 175 participating pharmacies that day will receive a single dose of naloxone on a first-come, first-serve basis, state officials said. They will also get information on addiction and recovery options.

The effort comes as New Jersey continues to grapple with the opioid overdose crisis, which every year claims more lives than years previous. In 2018, more than 3,000 people died of overdoses.

“Giving people this live-saving antidote is also an opportunity to get people on the path to recovery,” said Valerie Mielke, who manages the state Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “Naloxone use is an opportunity to get individuals with opioid addiction on the path to long-term recovery.”

Search below to find a participating pharmacy near you:

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.