Resources in
Philadelphia
In 2021, unintentional overdose death claimed the lives of 1,276 Philadelphians.
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 person who uses drugs, was recently released from jail or prison, or a person likely to be a first responder to an opioid overdose emergency, we will mail you naloxone if you’re unable to access it any other way. You can also request fentanyl test strips on this request form to be sent along with naloxone. This service is thanks to our partnership with SOL Collective.
MAIL-BASED FENTANYL TEST STRIPS IN PHILLY
Free fentanyl test strips by mail in Philly. Test strips are an excellent tool but need to be part of an overall harm reduction strategy. Use this button if you already have naloxone. Choose Get Naloxone Mailed to You if you would like naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
Narcan Near Me - Free Local Narcan Access
Free, low-barrier access to Narcan 24 hours a day via an automated vending machine. Located at Lucien Blackwell Library in West Philadelphia. The vending machine also provides overdose response training videos and access to 911 services in case of an emergency.
PHARMACY-BASED NALOXONE ACCESS
A comprehensive network of pharmacies in Philadelphia carry Naloxone. Use this naloxone-specific pharmacy map to find one near you. We suggest you call ahead to inquire whether they have the medication in stock and what is covered under your individual insurance plan.
SOL COLLECTIVE
SOL Collective is a volunteer collective of people who use drugs, individuals in recovery, healthcare providers and other Philadelphians committed to combatting the Overdose Crisis and racist drug policies through advocacy, direct action, and weekly outreach. SOL distributes syringes, naloxone, safer smoking and snorting supplies, and wound care supplies to drug user communities. SOL Collective is the NEXT Distro program affiliate in Philadelphia.
PREVENTION POINT
Prevention Point Philadelphia runs Philly’s one-stop shop for drug user health needs. Services include syringe exchange, overdose prevention training and Narcan distribution, wound care, linkage to drug treatment, HIV/HCV testing, a drop-in center, and much more.
PENNSYLVANIA’S GOOD SAMARITAN LAW
Through the 'Good Samaritan' provision of Act 139, friends, loved ones and bystanders are encouraged to call 911 for emergency medical services in the event an overdose is witnessed and to stay with the individual until help arrives. The provision offers certain criminal and civil protections to the caller so that they cannot get in trouble for being present, witnessing and reporting an overdose.
PHILLY REPRO FREEDOM COLLECTIVE
The Philadelphia Reproductive Freedom Collective (PRFC) is a volunteer-run collective of healthcare providers, organizers, abortion funders, and doulas. PRFC believes everyone deserves access to safe and affordable abortion care, no matter how much money they make, where they live, or whether they have insurance.
PA STATE DEPT. OF HEALTH
The Pennsylvania State Department of Health website provides some information and background on Naloxone access in PA.
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.
MAYOR’S OPIOID TASK FORCE
Visit the Mayor’s Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Philadelphia to learn more information about what the City of Philadelphia is doing to prevent opioid overdose mortality.
LOCAL DRUG USER ORGANIZING
The Philadelphia Drug Users Union is a group of current and former drug users advocating for the rights and equitable treatment of people who use drugs.
DRUG USER ORGANIZING
The Urban Survivors Union is a national drug users union mobilizing against the war on drugs.