You are close to the city’s services
Downtown is where many Duval County services sit, and Springfield is just to the north. That helps when you need more than a treatment program:
- The Duval County Clerk of Courts. Its Mental Health Department handles Marchman Act petitions. The Clerk lists its mailing address as 501 West Adams Street, Room 2409. Read how to file a Marchman Act in Duval County before you go.
- DOH-Duval at 515 West 6th St. The Florida Department of Health in Duval County lists several of its services at this Springfield address, including its Comprehensive Care Center and Pharmacy Center, as free NARCAN distribution sites. Details are on its NARCAN distribution page.
- The Main Library. The Jacksonville Public Library Main Library is at 303 N Laura Street. The Brentwood Branch (3725 Pearl Street) and the Brown Eastside Branch (1390 Harrison Street) are also close. Libraries offer public computers, free WiFi and meeting rooms.
Offices change hours and processes, so call ahead before you make the trip.
Getting to care without a car
Many people downtown and in Springfield get around by bus, bike or on foot. That can shape which program fits.
- JTA. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) runs fixed-route buses, the Skyway downtown, paratransit for people who qualify, and on-demand service. Use its trip planner to map a route at the time sessions start.
- Ride United. United Way 211 offers free rides through Ride United in several counties to people who qualify. Dial 2-1-1 to ask.
- Ask the program. Some programs help with transportation or offer some sessions by video. Ask before you choose.
By car, I-95 and I-10 meet near downtown, so the Southside, Westside and Northside are all reachable. For care several times a week, though, a bus ride across the river can take a big part of the day. A program closer to home, or one on a direct route, may be easier to stick with, and that matters more than it sounds.
If your loved one is leaving a hospital or jail
Downtown is also where many people are released from a hospital stay or from jail. Those first days matter. The National Institute on Drug Abuse warns that overdose risk is higher after a stretch without use, because the body’s tolerance drops.
- Ask the discharge planner or case manager for a treatment referral before release, not after.
- Bring an ID and any insurance or Medicaid card to the first appointment, or ask the program what to bring.
- Keep naloxone with you when you pick your loved one up, and know how to use it.
If your loved one refuses help and is in danger
Learn the law first
Read our Marchman Act guide. It is a court process for people who meet strict criteria, not a quick fix.
Gather what you know
Write down what you have seen, with dates. The court needs firsthand facts about danger or loss of self-control.
Call the Clerk
The Duval Clerk’s Mental Health Department can tell you the current filing steps. Our how to file a Marchman Act in Duval County guide has the phone number.
Licensed programs near Downtown and Springfield
Free listings, checked against Florida DCF. Sponsored listings are always labeled.
Community Rehabilitation Center (Beechwood)
623 Beechwood Street Suite 623, Jacksonville
Duval Family Health Center (Downtown Clinic)
611 E. Adams St, Jacksonville
FreshMinistries Outpatient Counseling (Weaver Center)
616 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville
Downtown and Springfield families ask
Where is free naloxone near downtown?
DOH-Duval’s NARCAN page lists its offices at 515 West 6th St. in Springfield among its free distribution sites. You can call its overdose prevention line at 904-253-1488 to confirm. Our free naloxone in Jacksonville page has more options.
Can we walk in to the courthouse to file a Marchman Act?
The Clerk’s office sets its own process and hours, and it can change. Call the Mental Health Department first. Our how to file a Marchman Act in Duval County guide covers what to expect.
Is there help for someone without insurance or a home address?
Yes. Florida funds care for people with low income through LSF Health Systems, and SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) can give referrals. Dial 2-1-1 for local services too.
Which other areas are close by?
See Riverside, Avondale and Ortega and the Northside, plus San Marco across the river.
Can my loved one get medication for opioid use disorder near downtown?
Ask the programs on the list above whether they offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or refer out for it. Some medications mean regular clinic visits, so a program on a direct bus route can make a big difference. Our MAT guide explains the options.