The Chicago Department of Public Health announced on May 21 the launch of eight free naloxone newsstands in Humboldt Park and Albany Park, expanding access to overdose reversal medication through a partnership with the 26th and 33rd Wards.
The initiative aims to reduce opioid overdoses during the summer months by making naloxone more accessible in neighborhoods that have seen high rates of overdose incidents. The program is part of the city’s broader Summer Injury Prevention Incident Command System (SIP-ICS), which coordinates responses to seasonal increases in gun violence and opioid overdoses.
“It is imperative that local government moves swiftly to reduce overdoses while using every tool available to us to save lives in our communities,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By expanding access to life-saving resources like naloxone, we are meeting Chicagoans where they are with proven, compassionate strategies that save lives, strengthen communities, and advance public health for all residents. I want to thank CDPH for continuing to expand this model and bringing critical care and support directly into our neighborhoods.”
CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige said, “Getting naloxone into more neighborhoods, in more accessible places, saves lives. These newsstands make it easy for anyone to pick up this lifesaving medication for free, any time they may need it. We’ve seen how impactful this approach can be, and by expanding into Humboldt Park and Albany Park with trusted community partners, we’re continuing to connect residents with tools that can help keep their families and neighbors safe.”
The stands will offer round-the-clock access without cost or prescription requirements at locations hosted by several community organizations including Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO), Association House of Chicago, BUILD Chicago, New Life Centers, Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Violence Prevention program (PRCC), as well as offices connected with local alderpersons.
Ricardo Jiménez from PRCC said: “As an on-the-ground service provider, we are seeing the monumental consequences of the loss of funding for harm reduction practices. We are grateful for the City of Chicago and Alderperson Jessie Fuentes’ advocacy for life-giving resources in a time when public resources are becoming increasingly scarce.”
33rd Ward Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez added: “As Chair of Chicago City Council’s Committee on Health and Human Relations, I have been working to bring awareness of the life-saving potential of Narcan to aldermanic offices and the public. Government has a fundamental responsibility to care for people. These Naloxone Newsstands are one more step toward making these life-saving resources more accessible to our communities.”
This expansion follows CDPH’s first rollout last August in Uptown; now there are twelve such locations across three community areas citywide. Additional outreach efforts include distributing naloxone at libraries citywide as well as during festivals and neighborhood canvassing events throughout summer.
