Six pharmacies in Gloucester County will participate in a one-day pilot program approved by the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy to distribute free Naloxone.
Naloxone will be distributed one dose per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Naloxone can reverse overdoses from opioids by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain. People who obtain naloxone during the June 18 distribution day will also be given information regarding addiction treatment and recovery. Participating pharmacies have standing orders in place for the dispensing of naloxone. The one-day distribution of free naloxone is part of a pilot program approved by the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy.
The pharmacies are:
• RiteAID, 860 Cooper St., Deptford
• CVS, 2037 West Blvd., Malaga
• RiteAID, 490 Hurfville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell
• Walgreens, 500 Egg Harbor Road, Sewell
• Walmart, 3501 Route 42, Turnersville
• CVS, 1239 S. Blackhorse Pike, Williamstown
The Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Gloucester County Addictions Task Force also have free NARCAN training sessions as part of the county’s continued effort to save lives while battling the opioid epidemic within the community.
“Since the county’s first sessions last year, these free monthly NARCAN training sessions have been a widespread success and have provided many people with the knowledge needed to prevent an overdose and help save a life until first responders arrive,” Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said.
“Stopping an epidemic requires the support and assistance of the community as a whole,” Freeholder Jim Jefferson, Liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, said. “The goal of each session is to teach attendees what they need to know about NARCAN and how to use it.”
Jefferson said that the Overdose Prevention Act now allows doctors the ability to prescribe the opiate antidote Narcan (naloxone) to those in a position to help someone else during an overdose of heroin or other opioids. The law also eliminates civil and criminal liability to anyone who administers naloxone.
The sessions are free to attend, but pre-registration is required as space is limited to about 20 people. Free kits will be available to those who attend.
The next training sessions are scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10 at the Logan Township Library, 498 Becket Road, Logan Township, and on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the Franklinville Community Center, 1584 Coles Mill Road, Franklinville.
For questions or to register for the sessions, please call (856) 384-6929 or email rbamford@co.gloucester.nj.us.
