HARRISBURG, PA — A trip to the courthouse could now mean access to lifesaving help in a critical moment, as Pennsylvania rolls out a new initiative placing overdose-reversal medication directly inside judicial buildings across the state.
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has launched “Narcan in Courts,” a statewide effort to ensure naloxone — a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses — is readily available in courthouses and magisterial district courts where the public gathers every day.
What This Means for You
- Narcan will be available in courthouses across Pennsylvania
- Staff and visitors could respond quickly to an overdose emergency
- The program expands access to free, lifesaving medication statewide
Naloxone, often known by the brand name Narcan, is a nasal spray that can restore breathing in someone experiencing an opioid overdose, often within minutes.
“Overdoses can happen anytime, anywhere,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “Just like having AEDs for cardiac emergencies, having life-saving medication on hand for overdoses can be truly lifesaving.”
Bringing Lifesaving Tools Into Public Spaces
The initiative will place one Narcan kit in each of Pennsylvania’s 512 magisterial district courts and all 67 county courthouses. Each kit contains two doses of naloxone and will be stored in accessible locations similar to where automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are typically found.
In addition to supplying the medication, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will provide instructions, educational materials, and access to training resources so staff and visitors know how to respond in an emergency.
Chief Justice Debra Todd emphasized the importance of the effort, noting that substance use disorder affects communities across the Commonwealth.
“Through our collaboration… Pennsylvania courts will have increased access to Narcan, which when administered in the critical moments of a suspected overdose, could mean the difference between life and death,” Todd said.
A Broader Statewide Effort
The program is part of Pennsylvania’s larger Overdose Prevention Program, which distributes free naloxone and drug testing supplies through a network of 100 partner organizations statewide.
These partners serve as local access points where residents can obtain naloxone and test strips that detect substances like fentanyl and xylazine.
Since the start of the Shapiro Administration, officials say more than 15,000 overdoses have been reversed using state-supplied naloxone, with more than two million doses distributed.
Getting Help When It Matters Most
For individuals or families seeking support, Pennsylvania offers 24/7 access to treatment resources through the PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Residents can also find treatment options using Treatment Atlas at https://treatmentatlas.org/.
Local county drug and alcohol offices — known as Single County Authorities — can assist with treatment funding, assessments, and referrals.
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