LAS VEGAS — An organization in the Las Vegas valley is introducing a new tool to fight opioid overdoses in the area — vending machines.
The Center for Behavioral Health in Las Vegas will soon stock vending machines with Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
The machines will eventually include personal hygiene kits, safe sex kits, and pregnancy tests but for now, the machines only dispense Narcan.
"There are numerous kits inside those machines,” Krista Hales at the Center for Behavioral Health said. “The main goal of them was to be dispensing clean syringes for people who are engaging in intravenous or intra-muscular drug use.”
First responders like those in the Nevada Highway Patrol have also been trained in the use of Narcan.
“It’s readily available to anyone,” Hales said. “I carry one in my car. And I have them in my house just in case because even someone who is taking their medication as prescribed could be at risk for an overdose."
In order to use the vending machines, users will have to register for the syringe exchange program at the Center for Behavioral Health. Once registered, users are presented with a card that allows users to pick up free kits from the machines.
The vending machines are currently available at the following places:
The Center for Behavioral Health, 3050 E. Desert Inn, Suite 116
Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada 401 S. Maryland Pkwy.
Huntridge Family Clinic 1830 E. Sahara Ave. Suite 201