How to Get Narcan in New Jersey

Medically Reviewed By

Brittany Kowalski, LCSW, ACS, CCS

Clinical Director, Speranza Behavioral Health · Last clinically reviewed August 2026

What Is Narcan and Why It Matters

Naloxone — most commonly known by the brand name Narcan — is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, restoring breathing in someone who has overdosed on heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers, or any opioid. It has no effect on non-opioid overdoses, and it cannot be abused. It is safe, effective, and easy to use.

In New Jersey, naloxone is responsible for saving thousands of lives. The CDC estimates that naloxone reverses tens of thousands of overdoses nationally each year. In a state where fentanyl is present in the majority of opioid overdose deaths, Narcan is not just a medication — it's a lifeline.

If someone you love is using opioids — whether prescription painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl — you should carry Narcan. You should know how to use it. And you should never hesitate to use it. Here's how to get it in New Jersey.

How to Get Narcan in New Jersey

New Jersey has made naloxone widely accessible. You do not need a prescription, and in many cases, it's free. Here are the ways to get it:

1. New Jersey's Overdose Prevention Program

The New Jersey Department of Health operates an Overdose Prevention Program that distributes free naloxone through community organizations across the state. These include harm reduction organizations, community health centers, and treatment providers. You can find a distribution site near you through the NJ Department of Health website or by calling 211.

2. Pharmacies (Standing Order)

New Jersey has a standing order that allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription. You can walk into most pharmacies in New Jersey — CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and many independents — and ask for Narcan. It's kept behind the counter, and most pharmacies carry the nasal spray version.

If you have insurance, it may be covered with a copay. If you don't have insurance, ask the pharmacist about the cost — it's typically between $40 and $80 for a two-dose package. Some pharmacies offer discount programs.

3. South Jersey Harm Reduction Organizations

Several organizations in South Jersey provide free naloxone, training, and other harm reduction services:

• South Jersey AIDS Alliance — provides naloxone, training, and support across South Jersey.
• Camden Area Health Education Center — offers naloxone training and distribution.
• Prevention Resources — serves communities across South Jersey with naloxone and prevention education.
• Your local county health department — most county health departments in South Jersey offer free naloxone and training.

4. Through Your Treatment Provider

If your loved one is in treatment at a facility like Speranza Behavioral Health, ask the clinical team about naloxone. Treatment providers can help families access naloxone and provide training on how to use it.

How to Use Narcan Nasal Spray

Narcan nasal spray is designed to be used by anyone, with no medical training. Here's what to do if you suspect an opioid overdose:

1. Check for responsiveness. Shake the person and shout their name. If they don't respond, rub your knuckles hard on their sternum (the center of their chest). If they don't respond to that, they may be overdosing.

2. Look for signs of opioid overdose:

• Slow or no breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute, or none at all)
• Blue or gray lips or fingertips
• Pinpoint pupils
• Unresponsive to stimulation

3. Call 911. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately. Tell them you believe someone is overdosing and that you have naloxone. New Jersey's Good Samaritan law protects you from prosecution for drug possession when you call 911 for an overdose.

4. Administer Narcan.

• Peel open the package.
• Hold the spray with your thumb on the bottom and your first two fingers on the nozzle.
• Tilt the person's head back slightly.
• Insert the nozzle into one nostril.
• Press the plunger firmly to release the full dose.
• Remove the nozzle.

5. Place the person on their side in the recovery position to prevent choking.

6. Wait 2-3 minutes. If the person doesn't wake up or start breathing normally, give a second dose in the other nostril.

7. Stay with them until help arrives. Naloxone wears off in 30-90 minutes, and the person can go back into overdose. They need medical attention even if they wake up.

What to Expect After Giving Narcan

Naloxone puts a person into sudden withdrawal. When they wake up, they may be confused, agitated, angry, or experiencing withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, shaking, anxiety). This is normal. Stay calm, reassure them, and keep them on their side until help arrives.

Do not let them use more opioids to feel better. This can cause a second, more dangerous overdose.

Why Every Family Should Carry Narcan

If you have a loved one who uses opioids — even prescription painkillers prescribed by a doctor — you should carry Narcan. Here's why:

• Fentanyl is everywhere. Even people who think they're using heroin or prescription pills may be exposed to fentanyl, which is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. A tiny amount can cause an overdose.
• Overdose can happen to anyone. It doesn't just happen to long-term users. It can happen on the first use, after a period of abstinence (tolerance drops), or when mixing substances.
• You may be the only one there. If you're the family member most likely to be with your loved one, you may be the one who saves their life.
• It's safe. Narcan has no effect on someone who hasn't used opioids. If you give it to someone who is not overdosing on opioids, it won't harm them. When in doubt, give it.

The Good Samaritan Law in New Jersey

New Jersey's 911 Good Samaritan Law protects people who call for help during an overdose. If you call 911 for someone who is overdosing — or if you're overdosing and someone calls for you — you are protected from prosecution for:

• Possession of drugs
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Being under the influence
• Violation of parole or probation

The law is designed to remove the fear of arrest so that people call for help. Use it. A life is more important than any legal concern.

Narcan Is Not a Substitute for Treatment

Narcan saves lives — but it doesn't treat addiction. If your loved one has overdosed, or if you're carrying Narcan because you're worried they might, the next step is treatment. An overdose is a signal that the addiction has reached a dangerous level. It's also an opportunity — people who have recently overdosed are often more open to treatment than at any other point.

If your loved one has overdosed, or if you're worried they might, call our admissions team at (866) 814-0126. We can help you understand the treatment options, verify insurance, and arrange a clinical assessment — often within 24 hours. Serving families across all of South Jersey from our Woodbury, NJ location.

About the Author

Speranza Behavioral Health

Content from Speranza Behavioral Health is prepared by the team at our Woodbury, NJ treatment center to help individuals and families understand addiction treatment, mental health care, and available levels of support.