CDPH Launches New Naloxone Newsstands in Partnership with 26th and 33rd Wards

Expanded access to overdose reversal medication supports Chicago's summer injury prevention efforts

CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), in partnership with the 26th and 33rd Wards, is expanding access to naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan®) with the launch of eight free newsstands in Humboldt Park and Albany Park.

"It is imperative that local government moves swiftly to reduce overdoses while using every tool available to us to save lives in our communities," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "By expanding access to life-saving resources like naloxone, we are meeting Chicagoans where they are with proven, compassionate strategies that save lives, strengthen communities, and advance public health for all residents. I want to thank CDPH for continuing to expand this model and bringing critical care and support directly into our neighborhoods."

Both Humboldt Park and Albany Park community areas are among 27 priority neighborhoods under CDPH's Summer Injury Prevention Incident Command System (SIP-ICS), a public health framework used to coordinate the city's response to seasonal increases in gun violence and opioid overdoses. In 2025, SIP-ICS produced measurable results: opioid-related overdose EMS responses fell 12% during the summer program period and 20% from January through August, compared with the same periods in 2024.

"Getting naloxone into more neighborhoods, in more accessible places, saves lives," said CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo "Simbo" Ige, MD, MS, MPH. "These newsstands make it easy for anyone to pick up this lifesaving medication for free, any time they may need it. We've seen how impactful this approach can be, and by expanding into Humboldt Park and Albany Park with trusted community partners, we're continuing to connect residents with tools that can help keep their families and neighbors safe."

Naloxone is a safe, legal medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and save lives. The eight stands will provide 24-hour access to naloxone at no cost and without a prescription. They will be hosted by Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO), Association House of Chicago, BUILD Chicago, New Life Centers, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center's (PRCC) Violence Prevention and Intervention program, 33rd Ward Working Families, the 33rd Ward Neighborhood Services office, and State Senator Graciela Guzman's office. The launch will be marked by a community event and press conference on Friday, May 22, from 3-6 p.m. at Division Street and California Avenue.

"As an on-the-ground service provider, we are seeing the monumental consequences of the loss of funding for harm reduction practices," said Ricardo Jiménez, Director of PRCC's Public Health Initiatives. "We are grateful for the City of Chicago and Alderperson Jessie Fuentes' advocacy for life-giving resources in a time when public resources are becoming increasingly scarce."

"As Chair of Chicago City Council's Committee on Health and Human Relations, I have been working to bring awareness of the life-saving potential of Narcan to aldermanic offices and the public," said 33rd Ward Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez. "Government has a fundamental responsibility to care for people. These Naloxone Newsstands are one more step toward making these life-saving resources more accessible to our communities."

The expansion builds on CDPH's first naloxone newsstand rollout, which launched in Uptown in August 2025 with four locations. With the addition of more newsstands in Humboldt Park and Albany Park, the program now spans three community areas and twelve locations citywide.

As part of CDPH's summer harm reduction outreach efforts, naloxone will also continue to be available through public health vending machines, at all 81 Chicago Public Library branches, in ward offices, and at other accessible locations citywide. Throughout the summer, CDPH and community partners will distribute naloxone and provide overdose prevention education at festivals, city events, and during neighborhood canvassing on Chicago's South and West sides.

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