City unveils free Narcan Newsstands program ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some newsstands installed in Chicago will offer medication instead of newspapers.

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Narcan, also known as naloxone, reverses opioid overdoses.

Mayor Johnson lauded the launch of Narcan newsstands Wednesday.

The Chicago Department of Public Health and the 46th Ward unveiled the partnership ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day.

City officials launched the program during the Harm Reduction Fair on Wednesday at the Department of Family & Support Services at 845 W. Wilson Ave.

The public can get free naloxone at Nourishing Hope on Sheridan, Cornerstone Community Shelter on Clinton, ICA Building on Sheridan and the Department of Family and Supportive Services on Wilson.

"Low-barrier access to naloxone is crucial to prevention of overdose in our communities," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo "Simbo" Ige said. "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."