Health and Support Services

The New York State Department of Health is committed to helping people who use drugs access health care services and other essential types of support without judgment. You can find free and confidential services that can make health care more accessible, including help paying for naloxone (pronounced nah lock sone) and buprenorphine (pronounced byoo preh NOR feen). These medications save lives and support recovery. On this page you can:

  • Find health care and support services near you;
  • Find medications for opioid overdose and opioid use;
  • Get assistance paying for opioid use treatment.

Need health insurance?

Find out how to get affordable health insurance at NY State of Health.

Need health care services? Visit your local Drug User Health Hub or Syringe Service Program.

Drug User Health Hubs/Syringe Service Programs are organizations that provide compassionate, easy-to-access services for people who use drugs. They offer the following all in one place to help people stay safe, healthy, and connected to care: health care, support groups, counseling and advice, entitlements support, referrals to other agencies, and a wide range of other services. A person who is looking for drug treatment can find it via a Drug User Health Hub/Syringe Service Program. Your treatment may even be offered on site and on the same day you ask for it.

Want free naloxone or need help paying for naloxone?

Naloxone is a safe medicine that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Anyone can use it. Spray naloxone in the person's nose and call 911 right away.

You can order free naloxone and have it delivered.

New Yorkers can get free naloxone at Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs across the state. Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs are registered programs that offer community overdose training and naloxone at no cost.

To help you get naloxone at your local pharmacy, the Department of Health runs the Naloxone Co-Payment Assistance Program (N-CAP). Through N-CAP, most New Yorkers can get naloxone at little to no cost from participating pharmacies – ask your pharmacist!

Need treatment for your opioid use?

Buprenorphine is a prescription drug that helps people stop using heroin, fentanyl, or other opioid drugs. It can be ordered for you by your health care provider.

Buprenorphine helps reduce cravings and withdrawal from opioids. This drug helps people who are dependent on opioid drugs stop using opioids. It can be used for detoxification and as a daily medication. Buprenorphine is safe, effective, and reduces your chance of overdosing.

Need help paying for treatment? The Buprenorphine Assistance Program (BUPE-AP) can help.

The New York State Department of Health runs the Buprenorphine Assistance Program (BUPE-AP). The BUPE-AP program covers costs for buprenorphine if you are uninsured or underinsured to support access to this life-saving medication.