‘Just in Case’: NYC Health Department Encourages New Yorkers To Carry Naloxone, Offered by Mail for Free Through New Awareness Campaign

'Just in Case': NYC Health Department Encourages New Yorkers To Carry Naloxone, Offered by Mail for Free Through New Awareness Campaign

One Small Kit Holds the Power to Save Someone's Life From an Overdose

Naloxone is Available at Pharmacies, Through Community Partners, and by Mail Through the NYC Health Department

May 29, 2026 - The NYC Health Department has launched a new campaign, titled "Just in Case," to increase public awareness of the availability of free naloxone kits, the overdose reversal nasal spray medication, particularly in communities where overdose deaths are the highest. The campaign shows New Yorkers where they can order a naloxone kit by mail for free, and sign up for a virtual training. Running from mid-May to mid-June, the campaign appears in newspapers, radio, social media, LinkNYC kiosks, and in other public spaces to highlight the ways New Yorkers can access this lifesaving medication.

"An overdose can happen to anyone, and like CPR, anyone trained can react in time to save a life. Carrying naloxone is a simple way for New Yorkers to keep themselves, their families, and their community safe from an opioid overdose," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. "Despite promising declines in overdose rates, we still lose a neighbor to an overdose every five hours. We encourage all New Yorkers to carry naloxone and learn how to use it. It could save a life."

In 2025, the NYC Health Department distributed more than 285,000 naloxone kits to local providers and individuals citywide as part of ongoing efforts to reduce overdose deaths. Naloxone is a safe and effective medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, including those involving prescription opioid painkillers, fentanyl, and heroin, and does not cause harm if someone has not taken opioids.

Provisional data show overdose deaths remained stable in the first three quarters of 2025, with 1,393 fatal overdoses occurring in NYC. This stabilization follows a significant decrease in overdose deaths - from 3,056 in 2023 to 2,192 in 2024 - after nearly a decade of increases. Despite a decrease across demographic groups, overdose deaths remain highest in the South Bronx, Harlem, and Central Brooklyn.

Naloxone is available at the city's four public health vending machines, through community-based opioid overdose prevention programs, through syringe service providers, and over the counter at pharmacies.

New Yorkers can explore the NYC Health Map to find locations with free naloxone, and visit nyc.gov/naloxone to receive a kit by mail.

Later today, the NYC Health Department will host a naloxone training for local media, small businesses, and community members in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Additionally, New Yorkers may sign up for a virtual training at the following dates:

• Thursday, June 4, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 10, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Thursday, June 25, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (in Spanish)
• Thursday, June 30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

To find substance use services, call or text 988 to speak confidentially with a trained counselor 24/7. Call, text, and chat services are available in English and Spanish, and interpretation services are available in more than 240 languages.

"Far too many families across our city have felt the devastating effects of overdose," said Council Member Lynn Schulman. "I want to thank Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin, and the NYC Health Department for launching this important public awareness campaign and continuing to expand access to naloxone, a lifesaving medication. No one should lose a loved one because they did not have the information or resources they needed in an emergency. By increasing awareness of free naloxone availability across our city, we can help prevent overdoses and save lives."

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