All The Monmouth County Pharmacies Giving Away Free Naloxone

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Next Tuesday, June 18, select pharmacies all across New Jersey will be giving away free doses of naloxone under a first-of-its-kind pilot program launched by Gov. Phil Murphy. Naloxone is a drug that's commonly given to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Without naloxone, or Narcan (one of its brand names) a heroin or opiate overdose can be fatal.

The June 18 giveaway is part of Gov. Murphy's initiative to combat the opioid crisis in New Jersey. Next week, anyone can visit a participating pharmacy and obtain naloxone anonymously and at no cost. You do not need an appointment or a prescription. One dose will be given per person only, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The full list of participating Monmouth County pharmacies is below.

Currently, only police officers in New Jersey are equipped with naloxone and they often use to to revive someone who overdoses on heroin. In 2018, first responders in New Jersey administered naloxone more than 16,000 times, ostensibly preventing thousands of deaths.

Some in law enforcement have criticized the overuse of naloxone, as some police officers, and even doctors, say it only enables addicts to continue to remain addicted. They have called the use of naloxone "a crutch," particularly when police are forced to use it on the same person repeatedly, in repeated overdoses.

The Murphy administration thinks otherwise.

Apparently, so does Richard Stryker, the owner of Bayshore Pharmacy in Atlantic Highlands, who said he readily agreed to participate in the pilot.

“This medication will give our community the opportunity to save lives that would otherwise be lost," said Stryker, the pharmacist in charge at Bayshore Pharmacy. “The opioid crisis affects nearly every Bayshore area resident, either directly or indirectly. This program allows family, friends and neighbors of those directly affected to be prepared in case of opioid overdose ... This is exactly the reason we exist.”

More than 3,000 people died of a drug overdose in New Jersey in 2018.

“This initiative will help get them get on a path to recovery," said Gov. Murphy.

People who obtain naloxone during the June 18 distribution day will also be given information regarding addiction treatment and recovery.

Here is the full list of all the participating Monmouth County pharmacies (it's only 10):

Monmouth Bayshore Pharmacy 2 Bayshore Plaza Atlantic Highlands
Monmouth ShopRite Pharmacy of Belmar 1801 Highway 35 Belmar
Monmouth Hazlet Pharmacy Inc. 2874 NJ Hwy 35 Hazlet
Monmouth ShopRite Pharmacy of Wall Twp 2433 St Hwy 34 Manasquan
Monmouth Pharmacy Emporium 460 County Road 520 Marlboro
Monmouth Park Plaza Pharmacy 343 NJ Hwy 34 Matawan
Monmouth Walgreens 3580 State Route 66 Neptune
Monmouth Walmart 3575 State Route 66 Neptune
Monmouth Oakhurst Pharmacy 1915 NJ Hwy 35 Oakhurst
Monmouth Campbell’s Pharmacy 2175 NJ Hwy 35 Sea Girt

There are attempts underway to make naloxone available over the counter, but right now it is not available over the counter in New Jersey. It is available OTC in other states.