Milwaukee County Announces Locations of 11 ‘Harm Reduction Vending Machines’ to Combat Death from Overdose
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Chief Health Policy Advisor Dr. Ben Weston, Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain, and Behavioral Health Services (BHS) are announcing the placement of 11 Harm Reduction Vending Machines to reduce injury and death from overdose, at locations across the county, informed by data and need. The machines provide free access to harm reduction and prevention supplies, including fentanyl test strips, nasal naloxone, medication deactivation pouches, medication lock bags, and gun locks. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), harm reduction is an evidence-based practice to prevent death for people who use drugs. In 2022, there were 667 drug overdose deaths in Milwaukee County.
The Harm Reduction Vending Machines will be placed at the locations listed below. An application process was launched in April for any interested entities within Milwaukee County’s 19 municipalities. These initial 11 locations were selected based on the quality of their application, on site interviews, a review of data identifying areas with the greatest need, and an assessment of foot traffic and accessibility. The project will be studied well so that it can be expanded by an additional 14 Harm Reduction Vending Machines throughout Milwaukee County in 2024. Vivent Health’s Lifepoint program and HRI Vending are Harm Reduction Vending Machine project partners.
“The vending machines, placed in key locations across the county will reduce barriers to these essential, lifesaving tools,” said Dr. Ben Weston, Milwaukee County Chief Health Policy Advisor. “By making fentanyl test strips, naloxone nasal spray, and other critical harm reduction supplies free and available without stigma, we can drive down the injury and harm from opioid overdoses in our community.”
Harm Reduction Vending Machine Locations in Milwaukee County | |
Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. (WCS) | 2600 W. North Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53205 |
Greendale Health Department | 5650 Parking St. Greendale, WI 53129 |
Outreach Community Health Centers | 210 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212 |
Oak Creek Fire Department | 7000 S. 6th St. |
Community Advocates | 728 N James Lovell St. Milwaukee, WI 53233 |
Diverse & Resilient | 2439 N Holton St |
Hillview Building – Pathways to Permanent Housing Program | 1615 S 22nd St Milwaukee, WI 53204 |
Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center | 8885 South 68th Street |
First Step | 2835 N. 32nd St. |
AMRI COUNSELING SERVICES | 4001 W. Capitol Drive Milwaukee, Wi 53216 |
Dr. Martin L. King Community Center | 1531 West Vliet Street |
Notably, there is a vending machine located at Milwaukee County’s Community Reintegration Center. The intent is to make harm reduction supplies readily available for those being released from custody and visitors. This site was chosen because of the amount of foot traffic and to prevent overdose in individuals who may use drugs upon their release. Originally, a machine was located at the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services building. That machine has been relocated to the MLK Jr. Community Center, 1531 W. Vliet because that location sees a greater amount of foot traffic.
In its first meeting of 2023, the County Board approved allocating $11 million in opioid settlement funds to support 15 projects over the next three fiscal years – including harm reduction supplies, education and treatment for justice involved youth, and opioid prevention projects. Milwaukee County has among the highest rates of overdose deaths in Wisconsin, and in the last two years the county has seen record numbers of emergency calls related to overdoses.
Here is a link to a map showing all of the Harm Reduction Vending Machine locations.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- Serenity Inns Opens New Addiction Treatment Center in Milwaukee - Serenity Inns - Aug 14th, 2024
- MKE County: County Nearly Doubles Narcan Vending Machines - Graham Kilmer - Aug 12th, 2024
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Announces Placement of Eight Additional Harm Reduction Vending Machines - County Executive David Crowley - Aug 12th, 2024
- Milwaukee’s Native Community Faces Surge in Opioid Deaths - Trisha Young - Jul 8th, 2024
- MKE County: County Awards $2.8 Million To Non-Profit Opioid Programs - Graham Kilmer - Jul 2nd, 2024
- MKE County: County To Get $3 Million From Kroger In Opioid Settlement - Graham Kilmer - Jul 1st, 2024
- Court Decision Holds Up Wisconsin’s $70 Million Drug Settlement - Sarah Lehr - Jul 1st, 2024
- MKE County: Opioid Settlement Will Fund 7 New, Expanded Abatement Efforts - Graham Kilmer - Jun 28th, 2024
- Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds - Erik Gunn - May 8th, 2024
- Baldwin Announces Over $17.7 Million to Tackle Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis in Wisconsin - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - May 7th, 2024
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
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Last year’s opioid settlement has created many opportunities for people who are currently using or seeking recovery. This is just one more creative response to an urgent need and hopefully will have it’s intended effect.