Vending

Wisconsin county introduces public health vending machine for harm reduction supplies

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May 3, 2024

The Division of Public Health in Portage County, Wisconsin, has launched a public health vending machine to increase public access to a range of harm-reduction supplies, according to a WSAW-TV report.

The Portage County public health vending machine will offer the following items at no cost: nasal Narcan (Naloxone), fentanyl testing strips, xylazine testing strips, hope kits, cable gun locks, tick kits, Deterra medication disposal bags, condom kits, Hepatitis C home test kits, general hygiene kits, feminine hygiene kits, emergency blankets and resource material packets, according to the news outlet.

"We want Portage County residents to know that within the opioid epidemic, we are taking actions to provide available resources and education so save lives and reduce the incidence of related communicable diseases," Kim Vagueiro, Portage County Health and Human Services director, told the news outlet.

"By providing nasal Narcan and drug testing strips for free, we are hoping to empower community members to intervene in emergencies and prevent opioid-related deaths. Having access to free harm-reduction materials is one opportunity towards supporting those whose lives are affected by opioids."