FAQs — Naloxone in New Jersey Q: What is naloxone? A: Naloxone is the medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It is often referred to as Narcan, which is the patented brand of naloxone that is administered through an intranasal (nose) spray. Naloxone is extremely safe, and has no side effects if given to someone without opioids in their system. Q: How does naloxone work? A: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and “kicks off” opioids from those receptors. This blocks the effects of opioids and can very quickly return normal breathing to a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Q: How long does naloxone last before expiring? A: Naloxone has a listed shelf-life of 36 months and has been found effective up to ten years past its expiration date. It is also suggested to store naloxone in a room temperature environment, out of direct sunlight. Naloxone is fairly resilient though, so do what you can with what you have. Q: Why do we have naloxone? A: We have naloxone, as we know it today, through the radical activism of people who use drugs, advocates, and harm reductionists redistributing the medication to keep each other alive. Here’s a very abridged timeline of naloxone: ● 1961: Naloxone first patented to treat opioid-related constipation ● 1970: Emergency departments begin using naloxone to reverse opioid toxicity ● 1995: People who use drugs began distributing naloxone in grassroots networks to keep each other safe in the case of an opioid overdose ● 2003: The Drug Overdose Prevention Education (D.O.P.E.) Project in San Francisco launched a low-barrier community naloxone distribution program, distributing large quantities of naloxone directly to people who use drugs ● 2010: Law enforcement and other state agencies recognize the efficacy of naloxone as an overdose response tool in community settings, and begin carrying naloxone in response to the increase in fentanyl-related overdoses ● 2019: Naloxone distributed by the D.O.P.E. Project is responsible for 2,600 peer overdose reversals in San Francisco. New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition forms and, following the legacy of the D.O.P.E. Project and many others, established the first statewide grassroots community-based naloxone distribution program in New Jersey Q: How do I get naloxone? A: Free naloxone is available at New Jersey’s seven Harm Reduction Centers (located in Asbury
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Park, Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton).New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition can also mail a free, confidential naloxone kit anywhere in New Jersey. You can request free naloxone by calling or texting 1-877-4-NARCAN, or by visiting www.nextdistro.org/newjersey. Some pharmacies also carry the brand name versions of naloxone, which may be covered by health insurance. Q: What should I do if I get naloxone to keep with me? A: Talk with family members, roommates, and friends about your new naloxone kit. Ask them to read through the overdose reversal information included in your kit, and let them know where you will be storing it. If you live alone, you can ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check in on you periodically when you will be taking your medication. Make sure they know the signs of an opioid overdose. Q: How can I tell if someone is experiencing an opioid overdose? A: If you suspect an overdose has happened, call their name, and check for one or more of the following signs: ● The person is unconscious and unresponsive/unable to stay awake or wake up ● Breathing slowly or not at all ● Vomiting, choking, or gurgling ● Lips, nails, or skin are turning grey or blue ● Not responding to “I’m going to give you Narcan now!” or a sternum rub Q: What do I do if someone overdoses? A: Stay calm—you have naloxone and are prepared to respond by taking the following steps: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Call 911 immediately & tell them the person is not breathing or is unresponsive Give Narcan/naloxone (the opioid overdose reversal drug) to the person If the person is not breathing, do rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth breathing) Wait 1-2 minutes and if they are still not breathing give another dose Lay the person on their side once they resume breathing When someone comes out of an overdose, be gentle, explain what happened, ask what they need, and try your very best to listen to and act on what they say
Q: What are my rights when seeking medical care for an overdose? A: New Jersey’s “Good Samaritan” law provides protection for an overdose survivor and those who call for help during an overdose from arrest, charge, and prosecution for obtaining, possessing, using, being under the influence of, or failing to make lawful disposition of drugs; using or possessing drug paraphernalia; and revocation of parole and probation based on these charges.
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