The Substance Misuse Committee of Linn County’s Harm Reduction Subcommittee championed an effort to make Naloxone, an opioid-reversing drug, more widely available within Linn County. This effort came to be known as the Naloxone Vending Machine Program, which has a goal of providing Naloxone and other harm reduction supplies (i.e., sharps containers, condom packs, wound care kits, tampons, gun locks, etc.) free to local residents and visitors, in hopes of reversing the increasing trends of drug overdoses and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Funding for this initiative is made possible by the Linn County Opioid Settlement Funds, which were awarded to the program by the Linn County Board of Supervisors.
Naloxone vending machines are available at seven sites throughout Linn County, including:
- Linn County Mental Health Access Center, Cedar Rapids
- CRUSH Recovery Community Center, Cedar Rapids
- Hiawatha Public Library, Hiawatha
- Marion Public Library, Marion
- Gary’s Foods, Mount Vernon
- Ryan White/Linn County Community Services Building, Cedar Rapids
- Cedar Rapids Comprehensive Treatment Center, Cedar Rapids*
* Gun locks are not available at the Cedar Rapids Comprehensive Treatment Center vending machine. They are available at all other locations.
When it comes to a possible opioid overdose, quick action is critical to saving someone’s life. If you suspect someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, follow these three steps:
