KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A new vending machine in Knoxville aims to save lives by increasing access to naloxone, a life-saving drug which as reverse an overdose.
On Friday, the Metro Drug Coalition cut the ribbon for a new vending machine containing naloxone on its patio. The goal is to increase naloxone accessibility in the Knoxville community by providing barrier-free medication at no cost to those who need it, from family members, friends, and people who just want to be prepared, to agencies that might need it.
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The naloxone vending machine can be found outside the Gateway Recovery Community Center at 530 W 5th Avenue in Knoxville. Metro Drug Coalition Bailey Executive Director Webster Bailey said this location was chosen to have the most impact because the majority of overdoses in Knox County take place in that zip code.
Metro Drug Coalition partnered with Reach Impact Institute, Fund Recovery, and the state of Tennessee’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to make the vending machine a reality. The machine holds 200 boxes, and each box has two doses of naloxone. Bailey said they plan to do inventory each day and keep the machine stocked. He also emphasized that the boxes are free of cost and no questions asked.
“We have far too many people in our community dying from overdose. And it’s unnecessary,” said Bailey. “This idea has been floating around for a while, and it’s just trying to be innovative on ways to reach people, where they can get access to a medication. They might not walk into an agency and say, ‘Hey, can I get some of this or get some of that?’ You can buy these products in stores, but they’re pretty expensive. And insurance doesn’t necessarily cover it. So, people don’t have $30, $40, $60 to spend on a medication like this. And so if we can go to bat for them and if we can absorb that cost and put this in their hands, they’re much more likely to keep it on- hand and have access to it to help somebody when they need it.”
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“The biggest accomplishment this machine can have is to save a life. If we can save one, it’s worth it. Doesn’t matter how much money it costs,” said Bailey…