Resources in
Pennsylvania
After years of skyrocketing overdose deaths, Pennsylvania began to see modest decreases in deaths from 5,398 deaths in 2017 to 4,415 in 2018. This decrease was largely a result of increased access to naloxone for people who witness an overdose. However, there were 5,168 opioid overdose deaths in 2020. An average of 14 Pennsylvanians continue to die each day. We know that the isolation and disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic has made access to traditional in-person services more difficult for many and our mailing program even more critical to saving lives.
If you are a person who uses drugs or if you are around people who use drugs, please consider learning how to respond to an opioid overdose and carrying naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan). Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally. We have a helpful FAQ and are constantly updating it with questions from our site visitors. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.
GET NALOXONE MAILED TO YOU
If you are a Pennsylvania resident and likely to be a layperson first responder to an opioid overdose emergency, you may be able to receive free naloxone by mail.
Naloxone For organizations
If you’re an organization in Pennsylvania seeking naloxone to distribute locally or to make available for staff and clients, you can request it from a designated Recognized Entity (RE) at no cost.
PHARMACY-BASED NALOXONE ACCESS
A statewide standing order allows pharmacies in Pennsylvania to dispense naloxone without the need to get a prescription from your doctor. We suggest you call your local pharmacy and ask if they have naloxone and whether it is covered under your individual insurance plan.
PREVENTION POINT PITTSBURGH
Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP) is an affiliate partner of NEXT Naloxone. PPP has been providing syringe access for people who use drugs for 25 years and distributing naloxone for 15 years. PPP also provides service navigation to help connect people to effective treatment services, overdose prevention training, access to fentanyl test strips and safer smoking supplies, condoms and bleach, and free wound care consultation services. Use the button below to visit their website, or the image to the left to watch a short video about them.
getmyHIVtest.com
The getmyHIVtest.com program was created by the Pennsylvania Expanded HIV Testing Initiative at Penn State University and the HIV Prevention and Care Project at the University of Pittsburgh, with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Their goal is to ensure free testing is available for anyone in Pennsylvania who wants to be tested.
PENNSYLVANIA’S GOOD SAMARITAN LAW
The Pennsylvania Act 139 (2014) protects good samaritans who call 911 during overdose emergency from charges and prosecution for possession of a small amount of drugs if you provide your name, stay with the person until help arrives, and cooperate with law enforcement officers. If the person who makes the call is protected, the person who overdoses is also protected. The law does offer broad protection from any criminal, civil or professional liability for using naloxone on someone whom you believe to be overdosing. The law does not protect you from any charges other than simple drug possession.
PA Harm Reduction Network
The PA Harm Reduction Network (PAHRN) is working to legalize syringe service programs and other harm reduction interventions in PA. They organize and grow partnerships and collaborations, public education and information sharing opportunities, harm reduction supply resource supports, and ultimately power across Pennsylvania.
Urban Survivors Union
The Urban Survivors Union is a national drug users union mobilizing against the war on drugs.
SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
In addition to programs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, there are several unofficial programs in other parts of the state.
If you are a person who uses drugs in Pennsylvania and you are unable to access clean syringes through pharmacies, syringe exchange programs or online marketplaces like OTCwholesale.com, please reach out to NEXT for assistance.
PHILADELPHIA RESOURCES
If you live in Philadelphia, please take a look at our Philly-specific resources and request supplies through this page.
PA STATE DEPT. OF HEALTH
The Pennsylvania State Department of Health website provides some information and background on Naloxone access in PA. The Secretary of Health recently expanded the statewide Standing Order for naloxone to allow distribution of naloxone by community-based organizations either in-person or through the mail.
PA.GOV’S GET HELP NOW WEBSITE
Run by PA.gov, this website, toll-free phone line, and chat service provide zip code and county-searchable resource listings for drug treatment. There is also information about benefits offices and drug take-back locations.
OPIOID DATA DASHBOARD
This helpful website from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania includes a broad array of information related to opioid overdose in the state as well as data and data reports.