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Narcan Behind Every Bar

Free Training and Life-Saving Resources for Nightlife Businesses

The Narcan® Behind Every Bar campaign helps bring life-saving opioid overdose prevention training, tools and resources to the nightlife and hospitality community as part of NYC’s harm reduction approach to substance use. This initiative is managed by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)' NYC Office of Nightlife (ONL) in partnership with the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

Overdose deaths have decreased in recent years but remain at epidemic levels, driven by the continued presence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in the NYC drug supply. Fentanyl is commonly found in drugs sold as opioids/”dope”. Fentanyl is very rarely found in cocaine and other non-opioid drugs; however, people who don’t regularly use opioids are at high risk of fatal overdose if they unexpectedly encounter fentanyl. For this reason, we encourage New Yorkers to test their drugs with fentanyl test strips and carry naloxone. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose and does not cause harm if no opioids are present.

While the overwhelming majority of overdoses take place in private homes, nightlife venues can be partners in helping to combat the opioid epidemic by being prepared to respond in case an incident should occur.

Overdose deaths are preventable, and, with naloxone (Narcan®), you can save a life.

A New York State law has officially passed requiring businesses that are federally mandated by OSHA to maintain workplace first aid supplies to also include Narcan (naloxone) or another opioid antagonist as part of their emergency response readiness. The requirement goes into effect December 12, 2026.

Have questions or want to get started?

Call us at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692), available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ask for "Office of Nightlife".

Trainings and Information

Get Free Naloxone Training and Overdose Rescue Kits
NYC Overdose Rescue Kit with Naloxone including two nasal spray doses, informational card, and safety instructions pouch

Register for an upcoming training course to learn about overdose prevention, how to access free naloxone kits, other harm reduction resources, and how to administer naloxone (Narcan®) – a safe medication that can help save someone’s life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose.

The Narcan® Behind Every Bar campaign urges all nightlife stakeholders, including business owners, employees, performers, promoters, DJs, bartenders, and security guards to participate in the training, however anyone can become a certified overdose responder.

Online Training

Request In-Person Staff Training

ONL offers free 30-minute, in-person overdose prevention and naloxone training sessions. A minimum of 10–15 staff members is required, and scheduling is subject to availability. Up to five naloxone kits will be provided for the venue to include in its first aid supplies. Language interpretation and sign language services are available upon request.

Request an In-Person Training