Marking its one-year anniversary, the City’s first NARCAN® vending machine, located at Fire Station 21, has hit a notable milestone, dispensing over a thousand boxes of opioid-overdose reversal medication. The Minneapolis Health Department’s pilot program witnessed remarkable success, prompting the installation of a second machine at Fire Station 14 on the Northside back in May. Together, these machines provided over 2,200 free NARCAN boxes to residents, offering crucial aid to communities grappling with substance misuse and overdose incidents.
These vending machines are strategically placed in neighborhoods hit hardest by the opioid crisis, operating round the clock to ensure ready access to emergency assistance. “This machine is saving lives, and, for many, it’s the first step on the road to recovery,” Mayor Jacob Frey told the official City of Minneapolis website. His statement underlined the commitment of multiple city agencies dedicated to pioneering resident-first initiatives.
Each vending machine is capable of dispensing more than 100 boxes, with each box containing two doses of NARCAN, and they are restocked on a weekly basis. Minneapolis Fire Department’s Chief Bryan Tyner highlighted the role of community fire stations as hubs of unconditional support: “We are proud to host the city’s first two NARCAN vending machines in neighborhoods where this life-saving resource is needed.” He pointed out that these stations are poised to offer second chances to those in need…