Additional Resources Now Available in the Harm Reduction Vending Machine
In partnership with Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, the Eau Claire City-County Health Department has added more resources to the harm reduction vending machine. The vending machine is located in the front lobby of the Eau Claire County Jail, 710 2nd Avenue, Eau Claire.
Since June 15, 2023, the vending machine has provided free naloxone and fentanyl test strips to community members. It is available to anyone at any time with no questions asked. Two more resources are now available at no cost: medication deactivation bags and xylazine test strips.
Anyone can enter the lobby to access the vending machine Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For lobby access after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, people can press a button to be buzzed in by a dispatcher.
What’s Available in the Vending Machine
Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan®, is a lifesaving medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose by restoring breathing within minutes. It is safe for children, pregnant people, and pets. It has no effect if opioids are not present. Naloxone is easy to use as a nasal spray and is legal to carry in Wisconsin. Watch this short video on how to use naloxone to save a life: How to Use Narcan Nasal Spray to Reverse an Opioid Overdose
Fentanyl test strips allow people to detect if there is fentanyl in a drug. Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is being found in substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and counterfeit (fake) pills. When fentanyl is mixed with other illegal drugs, you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it. This makes it easy to accidentally overdose. Test everything you plan to use. Test strips are dipped into a small portion of a drug that is dissolved in water. Within minutes, a person can know if there is fentanyl in the drug. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin. Each fentanyl test strip kit includes 5 test strips, 5 vials of water, 5 measuring scoops, and instructions.
Medication deactivation bags, also known as Deterra®, is a safe way to dispose of unused medicines at home. Each bag can deactivate up to 45 pills, 6 ounces of liquid medication, or 6 patches. Proper disposal helps reduce the risk of children or pets accidentally ingesting it and prevents misuse.
Xylazine test strips can detect the presence of xylazine in opioids. Xylazine, also known as tranq, is an animal tranquilizer that is being found added to opioids such as fentanyl. Xylazine is added to increase the effects of opioids, but it can make people very sleepy and can cause skin sores. Xylazine may slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Test strips are dipped into a small portion of a drug that’s dissolved in water. Within minutes, a person can know if there is xylazine in the drug. Each xylazine kit includes 5 test strips, 5 vials of water, 5 measuring scoops, and instructions.
In addition to the vending machine, the lobby also offers a sharps disposal box and a medicine drop box for the community to use. Learn more about sharps disposal boxes and medicine drop boxes here:
Learn more about the installation of the vending machine project by reading this article: Harm reduction vending machine will dispense free, lifesaving tools to help prevent overdose deaths