Brookline Health Dept. Launches Free Naloxone Distribution Program

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services has launched a program that will provide free Naloxone to residents.

Naloxone, or Narcan, is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. When given in time, Naloxone can restore breathing within 2-3 minutes in a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to an opioid overdose.

According to town officials, the Brookline DPH has qualified to participate in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Community Naloxone Purchasing Program.

"Naloxone is an essential tool in our collective fight against opioid overdoses, and a tool we're now able to provide to everyone in our community who needs or wants it," Public Health Director Sigalle Reiss said in a statement. "I encourage anyone - and especially those who know someone who is at risk of overdose, or is at risk themselves - to take advantage of this lifesaving resource."

Through its participation in the CNPP, Brookline may now order fully subsidized Naloxone directly from the State Office of Pharmacy Services. As an affiliate program, the Brookline DPH will be responsible for providing counseling on overdose prevention and training on overdose response to all individuals who receive CNPP-obtained Naloxone.

The Brookline DPH will launch Project Citizens Accessing Naloxone (Project CAN) and will offer group training throughout the summer and fall.

The department will also welcome anonymous, walk-in requests for Naloxone any time during business hours (Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) at the Public Health Building, located at 11 Pierce St.

Those who are at increased risk for opioid overdose or know someone who is may contact the Brookline Public Health Nurse at 617-730-2320 to access Naloxone at no charge.

For more information on the program, visit brooklinema.gov/health.