CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), in collaboration with the 46th Ward, is launching four naloxone (Narcan®) newsstands in the Uptown community area to distribute the life-saving medication. The stands will be hosted by four community-based organizations: Nourishing Hope, Cornerstone Community Shelter, ICA Building, and the Department of Family and Supportive Services.

Set to launch during an outdoor Harm Reduction Fair on Wednesday, August 27 from 4-6 p.m. at the Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) location in Uptown (845 W. Wilson Ave.), the newsstands are an expansion of CDPH's harm reduction distribution plan and signify the efforts towards addressing opioid overdose injuries in Chicago. Narcan® is a safe, legal medication that reverses an opioid overdose and low-barrier access is crucial to its widespread availability and usage.

In Chicago, opioid-related EMS responses increased from under 3,000 annually in 2015 to over 13,000 in 2020. Since 2020, this number has declined, with a 20% decrease from 2023 to 2024. Currently, data indicates that Chicago had a 24% decrease in opioid-related EMS responses in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

“Low-barrier access to naloxone is crucial to prevention of overdose in our communities,” said CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige, MD, MS, MPH. “Using newsstands to enable easy, no-cost access to this lifesaving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses is one of the many innovative approaches that CDPH and the 46th Ward employ to save lives.”

“I'm extremely thankful for the partnership with CDPH, DFSS, and our local 46th Ward businesses to bring access to harm reduction tools directly to our community,” said Alderwoman Angela Clay. “Harm reduction is a public health priority and these tiny but mighty newsstands are equipping our community with life-saving resources. We understand that accessibility and overdose reduction go hand in hand so we're extremely proud to be on the forefront of bridging the gap.”

CDPH uses a range of harm reduction strategies to address substance use disorder across the city. In addition to the newsstands, there are public health vending machines, a door-knocking campaign to distribute Narcan®, and drug testing kits.

To read more about CDPH's work in overcoming opioids, visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/supp_info/behavioral-health/overcome-opioids.html

CDPH Public Information Office: media.cdph@cityofchicago.org

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