Vending

Narcan vending machine aims to prevent opioid overdoses in California

Photo: Hanson - stock.adobe.com

June 11, 2024

A Narcan dispensing vending machine has been installed at a medical office in Marin County, California.

Narcan is a nasal spray that can be used to prevent fatal opioid overdoses and is now accessible to Marin County community members for free, according to a Patch report.

The California community recently saw five fatal overdose deaths as well as a spike in fentanyl and methamphetamine in area wastewater, resulting in its first public health alert for higher than usual risk of overdose deaths.

"These deaths are largely preventable," Laura Eberhard, assistant chief of staff at Kaiser Permanente, told the news outlet. "We feel it is important to visibly and clearly show our commitment to save lives by making Narcan free to our patients and anyone in the community."