James Monks

James J. Monks, MD is the Senior Program Manager of RealFix, a City of Paterson initiative and winner of the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Global Mayor's Challenge. Monks leads a peer-led, low-threshold, rapid-access model for medication for addiction treatment for opioid use disorder that has served more than 800 unique residents. The program achieves a 95% success rate in initiating treatment within 90 minutes of contact — including same-day prescriptions or vetted inpatient placement — via a 24-hour hotline (833-REALFIX) or walk-in access with no appointment required. Monks completed postdoctoral training in neuroscience and spent a decade in clinical practice and academia. His lived experience with homelessness and recovery informs his commitment to equitable, low-barrier care. 

RealFix is a municipal rapid-response program designed to minimize delays between help-seeking and treatment initiation for opioid use disorder. Selected from 631 proposals across 99 countries as one of 15 global winners of the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Mayor's Challenge, it integrates same-day telehealth buprenorphine induction, inpatient placement, transportation, and care navigation within a single system. RealFix operates 24/7 and does not require insurance, documentation, or counseling to begin services. Preliminary 2025 data show that 96% of clients receive buprenorphine via telehealth within 90 minutes of contact. Serving Passaic County residents, including individuals experiencing homelessness, RealFix is designed as a replicable, evidence-informed model for municipalities addressing the opioid crisis.