Get Free Naloxone Near Hopatcong, Sparta Starting Thursday

NORTH JERSEY — Several Sussex County pharmacies are giving away free naloxone during a state-sponsored distribution event Thursday through Saturday.

Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Monday during a COVID-19 briefing that May saw the highest number of suspected overdose deaths in any month in the last three years.

"Overall the state has seen a 12 percent increase in suspected drug related deaths from January to July 2020 when compared to the same period last year," she said. "Initiatives to get narcan, naloxone, into the hands of more residents are vital for battling the epidemic right now."

NJ Department of Human Services is making the opioid overdose reversal drug free at participating pharmacies from Sept. 24 through Sept. 26. No insurance, prescription, payment or name is required to pick up the medication. The naloxone will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, and is limited to one per person. Here is who has signed up to participate:

• Walmart, 230 State Highway 23, Franklin
• Weis Markets, 140 Route 23, Franklin
• Shoprite Pharmacy Of Montague, 10 Route #23 / Tri State Mall, Montague
• Walgreens, 126 Water Street, Newton
• Walmart, 26 Hampton House Road, Newton
• Weis Markets, 121 Water Street, Newton
• CVS, 11 Theatre Centre Street, Sparta
• Sparta Pharmacy 61 Sparta Ave., Sparta
• Acme Pharmacy, 455 State Rte. 23, Sussex
• Acme Pharmacy, 530 County Rte 515 Unit 1, Vernon
• CVS, 302 Route 94, Vernon

Naloxone, frequently referred to by its brand name Narcan, works by blocking opioid drugs from binding to the brain, and can reverse and stop opioid overdoses. Further medical care is usually required after naloxone is used to stop an overdose. It can be given as an injection but most free kits are generally the spray version.

During his Monday COVID-19 briefing Governor Phil Murphy noted that this was the second such giveaway in recent months.

"We distributed more than 32,000 doses," Murphy said of previous nalaxone giveaways.

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