Morris County Prosecutor's Office Partners with Free Naloxone Distribution Initiative throughout New Jersey
Published on September 14, 2020
September 14, 2020
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announces that starting September 24, 2020 through September 26, 2020, participating pharmacies across Morris County will be making naloxone (also known as NARCAN), which is an opioid-overdose reversal drug, available for free and without a prescription or appointment, to anyone requesting the same. Inquiring individuals, who can remain anonymous, will be entitled to one naloxone pack containing two doses, on a first come, first- serve basis. This is part of a statewide initiative sponsored by the State of New Jersey.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Attorney General S. Gurbir Grewal, the Office of the New Jersey Coordinator for Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies (NJ CARES), and the New Jersey Department of Human Services are sponsoring this free naloxone program throughout the State of New Jersey. This is the second such distribution, a part of the State's continued efforts to combat the opioid crisis. In June 2019, residents received 32,000 doses of naloxone.
Those who obtain naloxone will also be given information regarding addiction treatment and recovery through Reach NJ, a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week addictions hotline where people who have Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or friends and family of people with SUD can get immediate assistance and support from live, New Jersey-based, trained addiction counselors. Live staff members are available by calling the toll-free number, 844-ReachNJ (732-2465).
The participating pharmacies in Morris County are:
Acme Pharmacy, located at 550 Myrtle Ave., Boonton
CVS, located at 255 Rte 46, Budd Lake
Shoprite Pharmacy of Greater Morristown, located at 178 East Hanover Avenue, Cedar Knolls
Towne Pharmacy, located at 103 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls
Acme Pharmacy, located at 123 East Main Street, Denville
Walgreens, located at 100 E Mcfarlan Street, Dover
Walmart, located at 40 International Dr. S, Flanders
Weis Markets, located at 293 Us Highway Rt 206 - Unit 1, Flanders
CVS, located at 1105 Route 46, Ledgewood NJ
Robinson Drug Shop, located at 2 E. Main Street, Mendham
Sav-On Pharmacy, located at 329 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains
Riteaid, located at 213 South Street, located at Morristown
Acme Pharmacy, located at 5774 Berkshire Valley Road, Oak Ridge
Sav-On Pharmacy, located at 690 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph
Shoprite Pharmacy of Stirling, located at 1153 Valley Road, Stirling
For a full list of participating pharmacies, visit nj.gov/humanservices/stopoverdoses.
Associate Director Melody Runyon of Prevention is Key (PIK) said Naloxone is invaluable when it comes to giving those with an opioid use disorder another chance to find a life of recovery. Ready availability is key. As a result of Morris County's Narcan 2.0 and law enforcement Administration of Naloxone, Prevention is Key/CARES Peer Recovery Specialists have responded to nearly 700 overdoses at county hospitals with 473 individuals accepting recovery support services. Without naloxone these individuals would never have had this opportunity to change their life.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp stated, Since 2015, there have been over 850 instances of naloxone deployment by members of law enforcement in Morris County. During my tenure I have made the heroin and opioid epidemic a priority. Through the use of NARCAN, education and treatment, we have sought to reduce fatal overdoses. The availability of this antidote has been key in that battle.
Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at mknab@co.morris.nj.us or by phone at 973-829-8159.
