Narcan vending machines help communities save fentanyl users' lives

United Press International, Yahoo News and MSN highlighted research from the University of Cincinnati's Daniel Arendt in a story on the rise of harm reduction vending machines across the country.

Cincinnati nonprofit Caracole, in partnership with the University of Cincinnati, has operated a machine outside of its headquarters since 2021. 

The machine provides an anonymous way for anyone in the community to access free supplies including naloxone, the drug that can be used to reverse an overdose, safe injection kits, safe smoking kits and more.

Arendt, PharmD, has been tracking the machine's use since its inception, with the latest reports showing naloxone accessed from the machine led to the reversal of more than 3,000 overdoses.

"We also ask users about their experiences using the materials," Arendt, assistant professor in UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and co-chair of the pain stewardship committee for UC Health, told UPI. "For instance, many of our users take fentanyl test strips, and about 50% of the time, when fentanyl is detected, users either lower their dose or discard the substance."

Arendt's research has also found the machines' success largely depends on location, hours of operation, accessibility and the variety of products available.

"We have also seen usage grow overtime as people in the community begin to trust the machine more and recognize that it isn't a trap set up by police or something," he added. "That increased relationship with the community itself and building that trust is instrumental in having a successful program."

Read the United Press International story, which was also published on Yahoo News and MSN.

Read more about the Caracole-UC partnership and initial research data published in 2022.

Featured photo at top of naloxone doses. Photo/Pharmacy Images/Unsplash.