Save Lives with Naloxone

You can save a life by carrying naloxone and knowing how to administer it if you think someone is having a drug overdose from fentanyl or opioids.

Naloxone is widely available at many locations and through public vending machines across San Diego County. You can pick up free naloxone:

You can also call 2-1-1 to find out where naloxone is available near you.

If you are unable to access these distribution points, the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego (HRCSD) may offer delivery options, subject to availability. Contact HRCSD directly to learn more: 

  • Phone: 1-888-NARCAN-0 (1-888-627-2260), Monday-Saturday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Email: harmreduxsd@gmail.com

What is Naloxone?

Box of Narcan naloxone nasal spray

Naloxone is a fast-acting nasal spray that can stop a fentanyl or other opioid-related overdose and save a life by quickly restoring breathing. You should consider carrying naloxone if you know people who use pills, powders, or heroin. If naloxone is used, the person who received naloxone should go to the nearest emergency room.

Naloxone is sometimes also called by the brand name NARCAN®. There are now other formulations and brand names for naloxone.

Naloxone is not a treatment for an opioid use disorder. If you are seeking treatment options, check out the County's substance use outpatient webpage or call 9-8-8. 

Naloxone is provided at no cost by several organizations in San Diego County. It is carried at many pharmacies (copay may be required), local community clinics, and you can also check with your health care provider to get access.

Learn More About Naloxone

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  • How does naloxone work?

    Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder.

  • What should I do if I think someone is overdosing?

    It may be difficult to tell if someone is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren't sure, treat the situation like an overdose--you could save a life. 

    1. Call 911 immediately*
    2. Administer Naloxone, if available
    3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing
    4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
    5. Stay with them until emergency workers arrive

    To learn more about responding to a fentanyl overdose, read What California First Responders Need to Know guide written by the California Department of Public Health. 

    *Good Samaritan laws are in place in most states to protect those who are overdosing and anyone assisting them in an emergency from arrest, charges, or a combination of these. Learn about the laws here. 

  • Why carry naloxone?

    Naloxone saves lives. 

    According to the CDC, nearly 50,000 people died from an opioid-involved overdose in 2019. One study found that bystanders were present in more than one in three overdoses involving opioids. With the right tools, bystanders can act to prevent overdose deaths. Anyone can carry naloxone, give it to someone experiencing an overdose, and potentially save a life.

  • Who should carry naloxone?
    • If you or someone you know is at increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), you should carry naloxone and keep it at home.
    • People who are taking high-dose opioid medications (greater or equal to 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day) prescribed by a doctor;
    • People who use opioids and benzodiazepines together, and;
    • People who use illicit opioids like heroin should all carry naloxone. 


    Because you can’t use naloxone on yourself, let others know you have it in case you experience an opioid overdose.

    Carrying naloxone is no different than carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known by the brand name EpiPen) for someone with allergies. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for those at a higher risk for overdose by allowing bystanders to help a fatal overdose and save lives.

  • How do I use naloxone?

    Watch this instructional video on how to administer naloxone to someone you think may be overdosing.

    You can also view this step by step guide.

Where to Get Free Naloxone

Having naloxone readily available and accessible in our communities is important in preventing opioid overdose deaths.

Anyone can call 2-1-1 to find the naloxone pick-up location closest to them. You can also get naloxone free of charge in San Diego County at various locations listed below.

Walk-in Locations

You can pick up naloxone at these locations by going to reception and asking for naloxone. A staff member may ask you for demographic information. You will not be asked to provide any Personally Identifiable Information or an ID card.

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    Family Health Centers of SD SafePoint Program
    Address: Imperial Ave & 16th St
    Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m.
    Phone: 619-993-0216

    Family Health Centers of SD Safe Point Program
    Address: North Park Way and 31st Street
    Phone: 619-993-0216

    North County LGBTQ Resource Center
    Address: 3220 Mission Ave., Suite #2, Oceanside, CA 92058
    Hours: Monday through Friday; 10a.m. - 6 p.m.
    Phone: 760-994-1690

County of San Diego Regional Public Health Centers

You can pick up naloxone at a Public Health Center by going to reception and asking for naloxone. A public health nurse may ask you for demographic information. You will not be asked to provide any Personally Identifiable Information or an ID card.

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    Central Region (Market St)
    Address: 5101 Market St, San Diego, CA 92114
    Hours: Hours vary, please call for availability
    Phone: 619-229-5400

    East Region (El Cajon)
    Address: 367 North Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020
    Hours: Hours vary, please call for availability
    Phone: 619-441-6500

    North Coastal Region (Oceanside)
    Address: 3609 Ocean Ranch Blvd, Ste 104, Oceanside, CA 92056
    Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
    Phone: 760-967-4401

    North Inland Region (Escondido)
    Address: 649 West Mission Avenue, Suite 2, Escondido, CA 92025
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Phone: 760-740-3000

    South Region (Chula Vista)
    Address: 690 Oxford Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Phone: 619-409-3110

    North Central Region (Kearny Mesa)
    Address: 5055 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123
    Hours: Hours vary, please call for availability
    Phone: 858-573-7300

Vending Machine Locations

These vending machines also dispense fentanyl test strips at no cost. 

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    Las Colinas Detention Center
    Address: 451 Riverview Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071 
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Vista Detention Facility
    Address: 325 S Melrose Dr Ste 200, Vista, CA 92081
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    George F. Bailey Detention Facility
    Address: 446 Alta Rd # 5300, San Diego, CA 92158
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    East Mesa Detention Facility
    Address: 446 Alta Rd Ste 5200, San Diego, CA 92158
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    McAlister Institute 
    Address: 1180 Third Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91911
    Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

    T.H.E. C.I.R.C.L.E. by Epiphany 
    Address: 5081 Logan Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    El Dorado
    Address: 1733 Euclid Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.

    Pala Reservation
    Address: 34884 Lilac Extension Rd, Pala, CA 92059
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Rincon
    Address: 33750 Valley Center Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Yaytaanak Wellness Center
    Address: 1389 Browns Rd, Alpine, CA 91901
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Acadia Health - Fashion Valley Location
    Address: 7545 Metropolitan Dr, San Diego, CA 92108
    Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wednesdays 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturdays 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

    Jane Westin Clinic
    Address: 1045 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

    Southern Indian Health
    Address: 36350 Church Rd, Campo, CA 91906
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Project Aware
    Address: 2733 Lemon Grove Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

    Father Joe's Villages
    Address: 1501 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
    Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Acadia Health - Oceanside Location
    Address: 1905 Apple St Ste 3, Oceanside, CA 92054
    Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturdays 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Help Distribute Naloxone

The County of San Diego is assisting organizations who would like to provide free naloxone to their clients and community members to help reduce overdose deaths in San Diego. If you would like to become a provider and distributor of naloxone within your community, please email harmreduction@sdcounty.ca.gov to obtain information on becoming a Naloxone Distribution Program partner.

Additionally, the Naloxone Distribution Toolkit is intended to provide tools and resources for programs and staff who will be administering naloxone, distributing to community members, and collecting and recording data.  Expand the button below to view.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Not sure where to start?

Call or text 9-8-8 or dial 1-888-724-7240 to speak to someone who can help find the right service for you or someone you care about. Both numbers are operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with support available in over 200 languages. For more information visit Get Help Now or All Services. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1.