Vending
Eau Claire Narcan vending machine dispenses over 3,700 doses in two years
June 19, 2025
A Narcan and fentanyl test strip vending machine located in the Eau Claire County Jail lobby has dispensed 3,748 doses of Narcan and 988 fentanyl test kits since its installation in June 2023, according to a WQOW report. Health department officials in Eau Claire report that the 24/7, free access point for these resources is contributing to saving lives in the community.
The machine provides Narcan nasal spray, used to reverse opioid overdoses, and fentanyl test strips, designed to prevent accidental overdoses by detecting the potent synthetic opioid. In addition to these, the vending machine now offers drug deactivation bags for safe at-home disposal of expired or unwanted medications, complemented by sharps and medication disposal boxes situated next to it.
"We know that we're saving lives because more community members can receive access to this," Sarah Dillivan-Pospisil, a public health specialist with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department, told the news outlet. "You don't have to connect with anyone, you just go up to the vending machine press A1 and that box of Narcan is dispensed."
The initiative is funded through state grants provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Instructions for use and information on additional resources are also available in the jail lobby where the machine is located.
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