Hardware

OD death reductions in N.J. city follow Narcan kiosk rollout

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May 28, 2026

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Community organizations in Paterson, New Jersey, have launched a new initiative to provide free, 24-hour public access to naloxone, also known as Narcan, through kiosks installed throughout the city, according to a News 12 report.

The kiosks, organized by Black Lives Matter Paterson, distribute overdose-reversal medication along with instructions explaining how to use it during an opioid emergency. Organizers said the effort is intended to reduce overdose deaths and make lifesaving medication easier to access in high-risk areas.

Harm reduction advocates involved with the program said more than 500 naloxone boxes have already been distributed and pointed to a decline in overdose deaths in Passaic County since the kiosks were introduced. The kiosks are located at several sites across the city, including the Broadway Bus Terminal and multiple street intersections.

Organizers said the initiative also aims to reduce stigma surrounding addiction by allowing residents, including unhoused individuals and people who use drugs, to obtain naloxone anonymously and free of charge. Officials added that Passaic County remains among the highest in New Jersey for unintentional opioid overdose deaths, and city leaders are considering expanding the program further.