Middlesex Legislators Spread the Word on the Availability of Free Opioid Overdose Reversal Drugs

TRENTON –  Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee Senator Joe Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez are spreading the word about the availability of free Naloxone in New Jersey, starting today. Naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose and will now be available to people, anonymously, at over 170 participating pharmacies across the State.

“We have to be realistic and we have to do everything we can to save lives in New Jersey,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “People are dying daily, and as we continue working to reduce opioid use and abuse, we must also do everything in our power to reduce overdose deaths. This program is just one of many that we are pursuing to combat this national health emergency.”

“More than 3,000 people died of a drug overdose in New Jersey in 2018,” said Speaker Craig Coughlin. “We said we would take action to address the opioid crisis and this is living proof. This initiative is going to help save lives and I encourage everyone to participate in today’s give away. We will keep working to find new ways to address addiction and combat the national opioid epidemic’s impact on New Jersey.”

“The opioid epidemic continues to ravage our nation and our state is not immune to the crisis. As we continue to find new ways to address the epidemic, I am glad to see that the Department of Human Services is taking an active role in the battle against opioids by making naloxone available for free and anonymously at over 170 pharmacies throughout the State, including several pharmacies in my district. Naloxone saves lives and providing this drug to those members of our community who need it will have a profound impact,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez. “This initiative will save lives in a moment of crisis and will provide individuals with a second chance and opportunity to get the treatment they need.”

Free Naloxone will be available at the following pharmacies in District 19:

• Colonia Pharmacy: 515 Inman Avenue, Colonia, NJ 07067
• ShopRite Pharmacy of Perth Amboy: 365 Convery Boulevard, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
• Walgreens: 520 Convery Boulevard, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
• Walmart: 360 US Highway 9 North, Woodbridge, NJ 07095

The naloxone drug will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and is limited to one per person.

To visit other locations in the State, visit: https://nj.gov/humanservices/stopoverdoses/