All The Middlesex County Pharmacies Giving Away Free Naloxone

WOODBRIDGE, 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 any 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. The full list of participating Middlesex 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.

"Individuals who need this drug will now have it on hand for immediate use during an overdose emergency of a loved one or stranger, when every second could mean the difference between life and death," said Sharon Joyce, Director of the Office of the New Jersey Coordinator for Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies.

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

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

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 Middlesex County pharmacies:

Middlesex Colonia Pharmacy 515 Inman Ave Colonia
Middlesex ShopRite Pharmacy of Edison US Hwy 1 & Old Post Road Edison
Middlesex RiteAID 332 Raritan Avenue Highland Park
Middlesex Boyt Drugs 411 Main St Metuchen
Middlesex Walgreens 20 Jersey Ave New Brunswick
Middlesex Walmart 979 US Hwy 1 South North Brunswick
Middlesex ShopRite Pharmacy of Old Bridge US Hwy 9 & Fairway Plaza Old Bridge
Middlesex Walmart 1126 US Hwy 9 Old Bridge
Middlesex RiteAID 3553 Washington Road Parlin
Middlesex ShopRite Pharmacy of Perth Amboy 365 Convery Boulevard Perth Amboy
Middlesex Walgreens 520 Convery Blvd Perth Amboy
Middlesex Twin City Pharmacy 1708 Park Ave South Plainfield
Middlesex Walmart 360 US Highway 9 N Woodbridge

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.