Narcan Program To Combat Opioid Epidemic Launched In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A Narcan (naloxone) distribution pilot program has been launched in Hillsborough in a continued effort to combat the opioid crisis and support the health and safety of the community.

"We want to make Narcan available. Narcan saves lives. We want to make it free and available to anyone who needs it," said Municipal Alliance Committee member Minda Maggio at the Aug. 13 Township Committee meeting.

As part of the program, Hillsborough installed a Narcan distribution box at the Township Municipal Building at 379 South Branch Road. The box, installed in the main hallway of the Municipal Building below the AED kit, is the first to be installed, with the intent to expand the program to include boxes at other easily accessible public locations.

The Narcan is free of charge and is intended for anyone in need. No questions asked.

"We want to talk about Narcan as every house has a fire extinguisher, every house has a first aid kit, every house should have Narcan," said Maggio. "And you may think, 'I don't have anybody in my life [who needs Narcan], I don't need that]. You never know. You can be the difference in saving somebody's life."

The pilot program is being funded through money the municipality received from the state. New Jersey was awarded $641 million as part of the massive settlement with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and the country's three largest pharmaceutical distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen. Payments will be made through 2038 and split evenly between the state as well as counties and municipalities.

"Our community is no different from any other community in that it has been deeply affected by the opioid crisis, and it is our responsibility to provide resources that can save lives. By making Narcan readily available and anonymous, we hope to reduce the stigma and empower more people to act in critical moments," said Mayor Robert Britting, Jr.

The Township also plans to offer an educational session on how to use Narcan and information on where to find addiction support services.

"We know that quick access to Narcan can mean the difference between life and death in the event of an overdose. We encourage everyone to become familiar with how to use Narcan and to feel confident that this resource is available whenever needed," said Catherine Payne, Liaison to the Hillsborough Millstone Municipal Alliance.

For more information about Narcan, opioid overdose prevention, or available support services,
visit the Resources and Links page on the Hillsborough-Millstone Municipal Alliance website.

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