(Annapolis, MD) -- The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is taking measures to save lives impacted by an overdose.
The department announced it has installed seven new lifesaving vending machines throughout the county.
These machines are stocked with the free lifesaving medication "naloxone" known under the brand name Narcan.
When this drug is administered in time, it can often reverse an overdose from opioids and other drugs including heroin and fentanyl.
Officials say the drug is easy to use and to carry. The machines will dispense other free tools such as fentanyl test strips, masks and COVID-19 tests.
“These locations across the county were thoughtfully selected to reduce barriers to essential, lifesaving tools,” said Dr. Tonii Gedin, Anne Arundel County Health Officer. “We are hopeful this evidence-based strategy of harm reduction will change the narrative and prevent death from overdose. 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.”
The vending machines will be placed at the locations listed below.
- Brooklyn Park Library - 1 E 11th Avenue, Baltimore, MD
- Deale Library - 5940 Deale Churchton Road, Deale, MD
- Eastport Community Center - 1014 President Street, Annapolis, MD
- Jennifer Road Detention Center - 131 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD
- Severn Center - 1160A Reece Road, Severn, MD
- Ordnance Road Correctional Center 600 E Ordnance Road, Glen Burnie, MD
- Glen Burnie Health Center - 416 A Street SW, Glen Burnie, MD - coming soon
- *Health Services Building - 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway - Annapolis, MD
*This is a temporary location while our Glen Burnie Health Center is under construction
“The opioid epidemic tragically claims countless lives and devastates families across our nation and county,” said Anne Arundel County Fire Chief Trisha Wolford. “As first responders, our duty is to respond to emergencies and proactively find solutions through partnerships and prevention. Saving lives is always the Fire Department’s number one priority. We are proud to partner with the Department of Health to assist in accessible opioid interventions. Equipping our community with preventive tools empowers individuals for early intervention in overdose situations with the hopes of saving more lives.”