New York State's Opioid Overdose Prevention Program

Drug overdose is a serious public health concern and opioid-related overdose has increased as a health threat. A life-saving law took effect on April 1, 2006, making it legal in New York State for non-medical persons to administer Naloxone to another individual to prevent an opioid/heroin overdose from becoming fatal. All registered opioid overdose programs are furnished Naloxone (Narcan) by the NYSDOH. It is a prescription medicine that reverses an overdose by blocking heroin (or other opioids) in the brain for 30 to 90 minutes.

What's New?

NYSDOH Issues Press Release About First New York State-Sponsored Overdose Awareness Day

  • The following press release, issued by the New York State Department of Heath, pertains to September 9, 2021's landmark Overdose Awareness Day. This event, which had over 250 attendees, provided a forum to honor the memory of those we have lost and to acknowledge the extraordinary work of people in the community focused on the health of persons who use drugs. The State's more-than-850 registered opioid overdose prevention programs and the individuals they have trained are in the forefront in saving lives, as are providers treating patients with medication for opioid use disorder.

Post-Opioid Overdose Interventions

Opioid Overdose Prevention Program System

Information for the Public

Information for Providers