Paterson, USA

Paterson, USA 1400x700

Improving access to critical opioid treatment

Winner of the 2021 Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayors Challenge, the US city of Paterson, New Jersey is working to address the more than 1,700 opioid-related overdoses that occur each year in the city. Residents experiencing opioid-use disorder face myriad barriers to adequate support. Paterson’s RealFix program works to break down those barriers, offering prescriptions to clients for medically-assisted treatment within 90 minutes to counteract withdrawal and begin the road to recovery, even for those residents who do not have identification, legal status, health insurance, or a way to pay. 

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A closeup shot of two boxes of Narcan bearing the phone number 1-833-RealFix.

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

A man in the foreground is sitting at a desk. He is wearing a headset and is slightly out of focus. In the background, in focus, is a window with a cardboard sign above it. The cardboard sign reads, "Do not judge people by the traps that ensnare them, but by the efforts they make to escape." The quote is attributed to Ed Boze.

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

A black van parked inside a parking garage. The front driver's side door is open and reads, "City of Paterson Department of Health."

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

A woman with blue hair walking through the rain while wearing an acid-washed denim vest and a beanie hat. She is holding a clipboard with a promotional document on it whose header reads, "Lift the burden of daily dosing."

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

The front passenger seat of a car that is filled with loose, cluttered items. Among them are boxes of Narcan, a scarf, and other miscellaneous items.

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

Railroad tracks that are slick with rain. On the rocks between the ties lie discarded drug paraphernalia. The tracks stretch into the distance.,

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

Two coworkers sit at a desk in a modern office, collaborating on paperwork. The man on the left wears a light blue shirt and leans slightly forward, looking at the woman. The woman on the right has blue hair and wears a black blazer while writing in a notebook. On the desk are two computer monitors, a potted plant, a framed print, and Narcan boxes.

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

A table with an office phone has been covered with boxes of Narcan. Each box bears the phone number 1-833-RealFix. In the foreground, a woman with blue hair talks to another person out of frame.

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

Two men discuss public innovation plans. The man facing the camera is gesturing to a drawing of a pyramid on the wall. On the pyramid are five layers, each labelled with a different part of the innovation plan's process.

Photos show RealFix program staff conducting day to day activities in the city of Paterson, both from their office downtown where they accept walk-ins, or out in the city of Paterson, where they inform residents of the opioid-abuse disorder treatment options available to them through RealFix. Photos taken in the pharmacy depict the filling of Narcan prescriptions and highlight the integral partnership between RealFix and local pharmacies. This partnership unlocks an expedient response for residents who call 1-833-RealFix and request prescriptions for medically assisted treatment. Mayor Sayegh is also pictured and featured talking to program staff.

Paterson in the news

A worn wooden door with brass fittings has two business cards wedged in between the glass of the door's window and the door itself. One card bears the phone number 1-833-RealFix. The other gives directions on a service line for opioid addiction from the office of Mayor Andre Sayegh.

North Jersey: ‘I’m tired of being in the streets.’ This critical Paterson program is making a difference

A man in the foreground is sitting at a desk. He is wearing a headset and is slightly out of focus. In the background, in focus, is a window with a cardboard sign above it. The cardboard sign reads, "Do not judge people by the traps that ensnare them, but by the efforts they make to escape." The quote is attributed to Ed Boze.

North Jersey: Paterson success: Homeless addict moves into own apartment thanks to RealFix program

The front of a historic-looking government building. There are three statues in front of the building, each faded to green in the elements. Cars and people are blurred in front of the building, suggesting that the world moves extremely quickly.

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