Chippewa County Public Health in Chippewa Falls has made Narcan, a nasal spray that can save someone’s life in case of an overdose, accessible to the public through three boxes located at the YMCA. However, they are looking to expand their resources by adding a public health vending machine. The vending machine would contain items such as Fentanyl testing strips, Narcan nasal spray, condoms, plan b, hygiene kits, toothbrushes, Doterra medication disposal bags, and other items aimed at preventing opioid misuse and providing resources for community members.
Chippewa County has been awarded $36 million from lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and opioid manufacturers this year. The state of Wisconsin was given $800,000 of this funding to be used for public health vending machines. Chippewa County is applying for some of this funding to add a vending machine to its public health resources. Importantly, the project will not be funded by tax levy dollars but rather through grant funding and opioid settlement funds.
Chippewa County Public Health staff emphasized the need for the vending machine in the area. According to data from 2023, there were 14 overdose deaths in Chippewa County alone with 3 deaths already occurring in 2024. The goal of the vending machine is to save lives and provide resources to community members in need. If approved, Chippewa County expects to have it up and running by the end of the year. This initiative is crucial in addressing the opioid crisis and providing support to those affected in the community.