ADDISON, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Steuben County Public Health Department announced on Tuesday that they launched a harm reduction vending machine in Addison.

Located outside the Addison Fire Department, the health department says the machine will provide 24/7 access to free life saving tools such as Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and Xzylazine test strips.  The health department says they hope the vending machine will help reduce overdose deaths and give people the tools they need to make informed decisions about their health.

"This initiative reflects our dedication to addressing substance use in our community with compassion and practicality,” said Public Health Director Darlene Smith. “By providing these resources at no cost and around the clock, we hope to save lives and support the health of our residents.”

The items are free of charge.

Narcan (naloxone): A medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses.

Fentanyl Test Strips: These strips allow individuals to test drugs for the presence of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance that is similar to morphine but about 100 times more potent (United States Drug Enforcement Administration)

Xylazine Test Strips: Xylazine, a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug supplies, poses severe health risks (United States Drug Enforcement Administration). The strips enable users to detect this substance.

The Addison Fire Department is located at 1 Tuscarora St, Addison, NY 14801.  Narcan training is available here, or in-person training can be scheduled by calling Steuben Public Health at 607-664-2438 or reaching out to the Steuben Prevention Coalition’s Opioid Committee.  The Narcan Location Map can be found here. 

PHOTOS: Steuben County Public Health

  Steuben County Public Health