NJ Human Services Continues Free Naloxone Efforts by Providing the Opioid Antidote to Homeless Shelters – TAPinto.net

Antidote can reverse opioid overdoses

(TRENTON) – NJ Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced today that the Department is delivering the opioid overdose antidote naloxone for free to participating shelters serving the homeless as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to get naloxone into as many hands as possible to help save lives.

“Nearly 1,200 doses of the nasal spray form of naloxone are being delivered to homeless shelters across the State to put this lifesaving tool in the hands of staff who can help save lives from overdose,” Commissioner Johnson said during today’s announcement of the giveaway.

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The shelter initiative comes on the heels of the Department’s June 18 giveaway of 32,000 doses of free naloxone that did not require an individual prescription at 174 participating pharmacies throughout the state. 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, 36 shelters throughout the state are participating in the distribution. The naloxone delivered to the shelters is free and does not require an individual  prescription. Human Services 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 Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke. “They are on the front lines, so we can certainly use their help.”

Below is a list of the participating shelters:

  • Atlantic City Rescue Mission;
  • Bergen County Family Shelter;
  • Center for Hope and Safety in Bergen County;
  • Bergen County Community Action Program Adult Center;
  • Providence House – Catholic Charities in Burlington County;
  • Belmont Homes in Burlington County;
  • Aletha Wright Venter in Camden County;
  • Joseph’s House in Camden County;
  • Anna M. Sample House in Camden County;
  • Cumberland County Women’s Center (Center for Family Services);
  • Real House I in Essex County;
  • Real House II in Essex County;
  • Circle of Life in Essex County;
  • Apostle’s House in Essex County;
  • Center for Family Services (Mother/Child Residential SERV CFS) in Gloucester County;
  • SERV Gloucester County Women’s Services;
  • Eleanor Corbett House in Gloucester County;
  • Trenton Treatment/UPI in Mercer County;
  • Rescue Mission of Trenton in Mercer County;
  • Amani House in Mercer County;
  • Ozanam Men’s Shelter in Middlesex County;
  • Ozanam Family Shelter (Catholic Charities) in Middlesex County;
  • Monmouth Adult Shelter – Affordable Housing Alliance of Monmouth County;
  • 180 Turning Lives Around in Monmouth County;
  • Homeless Solutions of Morris County;
  • Providence House – Catholic Charities, Ocean County;
  • St. Peter’s Haven in Passaic County;
  • St. Paul’s Community Center in Passaic County;
  • Salem County’s Women’s Services in Salem County;
  • Safe and Sound in Somerset County;
  • Agape House in Somerset County;
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Promise) of Sussex County;
  • Domestic Abuse Services Inc. of Sussex County;
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Promise) of Union County;
  • Domestic Abuse and Rape Crisis Center in Warren County; and
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Promise) of Union County.