Narcan vending machines in Minneapolis are saving lives.
The two machines, located outside fire stations on the city's north and south sides, have dispensed more than 2,200 boxes of the opioid reversal medication within the past year.
Minneapolis Public Health Specialist Jason Schildman says the "no questions asked" machines are stigma-free and easily accessible.
"There's no QR code, there's no sort of checking with your phone or scanning anything," says Schildman. "You just press the numbers as if you're ordering a candy bar and it pops out and away you go."
Minneapolis Health Department officials say the vending machines are another tool in the toolbox in helping to reduce opioid overdose deaths as they continue to find solutions to the crisis.
Narcan, also known by its active ingredient naloxone, is a life-saving medication used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It works as an opioid antagonist, meaning it competes with opioids for the same receptors in the brain, effectively blocking their harmful effects and restoring normal breathing within minutes.
"I really hope that this is something that can continue to capture the eye of the public as an important life saving reversal medication that anyone can get, anyone can carry, and is easy to use," adds Schildman.
Naloxone works on overdoses with heroin, morphine, Oxycodone (OxyContin), methadone, fentanyl, hydrocodone (Vicodin) and buprenorphine.
The two machines are restocked weekly. The city's second machine is located at Fire Station 14 (2002 Lowry Ave. N.). The first one is located at Fire Station 21 (3209 E. 38th St.).
Minneapolis saw a 22% increase in overdose deaths between 2022 and 2023, primarily involving fentanyl.