FREE Naloxone Available through California’s Naloxone Distribution Project 

For those interested, please see the following information about the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. 

DHCS established the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) in 2018, to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths through the provision of free naloxone. Since the creation of the program, the NDP has distributed over 7 million naloxone kits to organizations across the state, which has resulted in over 390,000 reported opioid overdose reversals. 

While the purchase of naloxone is an allowable expense with opioid settlement funds, DHCS would like cities and counties to be aware that free naloxone is available through the NDP. Entities that are eligible to apply to the NDP include:  

• City and county government agencies
• Law enforcement, courts, and criminal justice partners 
• Emergency medical services, fire authorities, and first responders 
• Community organizations, including organizations that provide services to unhoused individuals/community 
• Community clinics or federally qualified health centers 
• Emergency departments or hospitals 

A complete list of eligible entities is available on the NDP website. DHCS encourages all eligible organizations that need naloxone, including those who receive opioid settlement funds, to apply through the NDP application process. If you have questions, please review the NDP’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and the NDP website. Supplemental information may be required for certain organizations.  

For other questions, please contact the NDP team at naloxone@dhcs.ca.gov.