To help improve access to lifesaving health resources in underserved communities, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has launched a network of vending machines stocked with overdose prevention and health products.
A total of 51 “community health stations” have been installed across the county, dispensing items like COVID-19 tests, naloxone for reversing opioid overdoses, condoms and fentanyl strips – all at no charge to the public. The stations are located in publicly accessible locations, from pharmacies and health centers to community hubs and homeless shelters. Products are available to anyone, regardless of age or place of residence.
Helping communities in need
L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis said the vending machines are “an important resource for our Eastside community.”
“In communities disproportionately impacted by several health disparities, access to these tools can make a real difference,” she told Boyle Heights Beat. “I’m actively exploring opportunities to bring more of these stations to the Eastside.”
Zenaida Meza, program coordinator at The Wellness Center in Boyle Heights, said improving awareness and access to naloxone, known by the brand name Narcan, can save lives.
“A lot of parents don’t know if their kids are using, and they have no idea that there is something simple they can have on-hand to reverse an overdose,” said Meza. “Narcan can be expensive for some, so having it available for free, no questions asked, is going to make a difference.”
What’s inside:
Each vending machine offers the following supplies at no charge:
- Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray (one box with two doses)
- COVID-19 self-test kits (one box with two tests)
- Fentanyl test strips (one box with five strips)
- External condoms (five per box with lubricants)
- Internal condoms (one per box)
Instructions for using naloxone are included in English and Spanish. Those include clear steps on how to respond during a life-threatening opioid overdose. According to Narcan’s website, users should:
- Lay the person experiencing an opioid crisis on their back, tilting their head up.
- Insert and hold the tip of the nasal spray in either nostril.
- Press the plunger of the device firmly, releasing the dose into the person’s nose.
- Call 911 immediately after the first dose, and continue to administer doses as needed.
- Wait with the person until help arrives, even if they wake up.
How it works
Before receiving an item, users will be prompted – but not required – to complete a short anonymous survey on the machine’s touchscreen to collect basic demographic information.
Hours and days of operation vary by station. For example, the vending machine at the Edward Roybal Comprehensive Health Center in East L.A. is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A full list of locations is available on the L.A. County Department of Public Health website. Officials plan to expand the program by deploying 49 more stations, a total of 100 in the county, in the next few months.