Canton residents and their neighbors in Milton can pick up free Narcan, get trained to use it, and access a no-cost recovery coach through a suite of overdose prevention services listed on the town's website.
The Canton Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program, known as Overdose END, bundles five services funded in part by opioid settlement money: free naloxone (Narcan) distribution, CPR and Narcan training led by public health nurses, free at-home medication disposal kits, sober home funding assistance, and a recovery coaching program run by Riverside Community Care.
Where to pick up free Narcan
Free Narcan is available at three Canton locations, according to the town's Overdose END program page:
- Canton Board of Health, 79 Pleasant St. (Pequitside Farm)
- Department of Human and Elder Services (DEHS), 500 Pleasant St.
- Canton Public Library, 786 Washington St.
Walk-in hours were not listed. Residents should call the Board of Health or DEHS to confirm availability before visiting.
Recovery coaching for Milton and Canton
The Connect2Recovery program, operated by Riverside Community Care through the Norfolk County 8 Collaborative, pairs adults 18 and older with a peer recovery coach at no cost, regardless of insurance status. The program serves seven towns: Canton, Dedham, Milton, Norwood, Walpole, Wellesley, and Westwood.
Recovery coaches are people with personal recovery experience trained to help participants connect to peer support groups such as AA, NA, and SMART Recovery, access healthcare and housing assistance, and navigate drug court or probation requirements, according to Riverside's program description.
Diane L., a Connect2Recovery participant quoted on Riverside's website, said the program's staff "give me so much hope" and credited the organization with "saving my life and helping set me up for amazing success."
To sign up, residents can complete a referral form available at the Canton DEHS, Canton Public Library, or Board of Health and email it to [email protected]. Self-referrals are accepted. Residents can also call 781-234-1650. Riverside's nearest office is at 190 Lennox St. in Norwood.
The NC-8 pilot is funded by opioid lawsuit settlement money from manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies, according to the Norfolk County 8 Collaborative.
Sober home funding and medication disposal
Canton offers sober home funding for Canton residents or workers who qualify: up to four weeks at a MASH-certified facility, paid directly to the sober home. Milton residents are not eligible for this particular benefit. Eligibility verification is handled by the admitting facility, not by town officials, and no personal information is shared with the town, according to the program page. Funding is subject to opioid settlement fund availability.
For medication disposal, the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) and the Board of Health provide free DrugBuster units that dissolve up to 300 pills on contact. The 16 oz. bottles handle tablets, capsules, creams, and both over-the-counter and prescription medications. When about three-quarters full, the bottle goes in household trash. DrugBusters are available at the same three locations where Narcan is distributed.
CAASA received at least $45,000 in the Massachusetts FY2026 state budget for substance use disorder services.
The resources exist for a reason. In more than half of Massachusetts overdose deaths, a bystander is present, but naloxone is administered only about 28% of the time, according to state data reported by MassLive in May 2026. Nationally, overdose deaths fell to about 70,000 in 2025, a 14% drop and the third straight annual decline, according to preliminary CDC data.
Residents seeking CPR and Narcan training schedules can contact the Canton Board of Health at 79 Pleasant St. or visit the town's Overdose END page at town.canton.ma.us.
