King County reports success in using vending machines to expand access to overdose prevention tools

SEATTLE — King County Public Health says it is seeing some signs of success after a year of expanding its harm reduction efforts.

Since April 2022, Public Health has worked with Peer Washington to place vending machines at its sites in Seattle and Kent to provide access to free, confidential overdose prevention supplies and resources.

In the year since they’ve been installed, over 4,000 fentanyl test strips and 1,000 naloxone kits have been distributed through the vending machines.

>> ‘Giving people tools to save their life’: Vending machine provides free Narcan, fentanyl test strips

“There’s something special about being able to offer immediate, life-saving medication, free of charge,” said Shannon French, a volunteer at Peer Seattle, in a blog post. “Our members face long journeys when it comes to recovery, or securing housing and employment, so offering a resource that provides immediate relief goes a long way.”

According to its initial findings, Public Health says nearly 40% of the people who used the vending machines had not previously naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of fentanyl and opioid overdoses.

The drug can also help with overdoses of street drugs such as heroin.

In addition to installing the vending machines, Public Health has also been working to increase access to overdose protection supplies through online ordering.

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