While most people think of purchasing soda, candy bars and bags of chips from vending machines, new vending machines popping up across central Wisconsin are dispensing free lifesaving products and devices thanks to a state grant program.
After receiving a state grant last summer, Taylor County purchased and set up two machines in the county offering Narcan, which is used in emergencies to counteract narcotics during an overdose; fentanyl test strips, to identify the potent pain reliever that has been linked to many overdose deaths in the past several years; first-aid and CPR mask kits; gun locks; and bags to safely dispose of medications.
Taylor County Health Department officials say they are happily surprised with the results so far.
Marathon, Portage and Wood counties will also be using grant money from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to purchase and set up vending machines offering Narcan, fentanyl test strips and other safety items. Each county is in a different phase of the initial setup process.
'Harm reduction' is the goal of vending machines
Taylor County distributed 21 boxes of Narcan from its vending machines in December, with each box containing two doses. They dispensed nine boxes of fentanyl test strips, with 10 tests per box, seven medication disposal bags, five gun locks and 25 first-aid and CPR mask kits. The two machines are on the ground floor of the Taylor County Courthouse, 224 S. Second St., and in the lobby of the Taylor County Human Services Department, 540 E. College Ave., both in Medford.
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Melissa Moore, Taylor County public health coordinator, said Taylor County was awarded a grant from the state to purchase the vending machines and the supplies to go in them. Harm reduction is part of the overall strategy of the machines, Moore said.
The vending machines are being filled about once a week, and people are happy the items are available, Moore said. The county didn't advertise the vending machines when they first were placed, so they were happily surprised with the results, she said.
"There is a stigma to addiction and to mental health issues," Moore said. "This is building those relationships we need to help."
The vending machines can help make a positive change and get some people on the road to recovery, Moore said.
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Vending machines provide resources 'without judgment'
In Portage County, Community Health Educator Brayer Drexler updated the Portage County Health and Human Services Board in January about its grant to also get vending machines to help residents.
"When an individual decides they need harm reduction resources, we need to get it into the hands of those that need it without judgment," Drexler said.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will give Portage County about $11,000 for each machine, which includes the machine, software fee and money for buying the items for the machine, Drexler said.
The county can set dispensing limits to keep someone from clearing out the machine, Dexler said. The machines have to be placed in a location with electricity, shelter and security cameras, she said. They also have to be placed in an area where the public is comfortable with them, she said.
Ashley Normington, Wood County public health strategist, said Wood County received money for vending machines last year, but they haven't bought them yet.
"We've identified which machines (we plan to purchase)," Normington said.
The state requires the fentanyl test strips and Narcan nasal spray to be two of the things placed in every machine, Normington said. The Wood County Health Department has been talking to other agencies in the county to find out where the greatest needs are before making a decision on other items.
The county is still considering where to place the machines, Normington said. The most important thing is to make sure people will feel comfortable using the machines in the location they're placed.
"There can be a lot of shame associated with accessing this type of machine," Normington said.
The location could determine some of the items in the machine, Normington said. Some items may make more sense to the location than others.
Wood County hopes to have their vending machines installed by spring.
'Lifesaving tools' can prevent deaths until people are ready for treatment
Year after year, fatal and nonfatal overdoses have been increasing, said Kerry Thieme, community health educator for the Marathon County Health Department. Half the overdoses involved fentanyl and providing Narcan sources is one way the county can prevent deaths until people are ready for treatment, Thieme said.
The Marathon County machines are in the process of being built. The county's plan is to have a packet of resources for help with the fentanyl test strips and Narcan, Thieme said.
One of the machines will be placed at the Community Partners Campus, 360 Grand Ave., Suite 100, Thieme said.
The Marathon County Health Department is talking to community partners, such as the Wausau Police Department and treatment providers, to decide on the best items to have in the machines, Thieme said.
"These machines will really give people access to lifesaving tools and help them seek treatment for when they're ready," Thieme said.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, there are about 28 of the vending machines placed in the state. The website also contains information to help those with drug addictions.
Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33 .
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Vending machines popping up across central Wisconsin are helping to save lives. Find out how.
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