Naloxone vending machines are expanding nationally and in Washington state as a way to prevent opioid overdoses

VANCOUVER – The naloxone vending machine located in the public lobby of the Clark County Jail is a result of a partnership with Clark County Jail Services, Southwest Washington Accountable Communities of Health (SWACH) and Carelon Behavioral Health.  

Naloxone vending machines are expanding nationally and in Washington state as an innovative way to prevent opioid overdoses. This is the fourth location in Clark County. 

The naloxone vending machine contains nasal naloxone (brand name Narcan), fentanyl test strips and information about local substance abuse treatment services. It is located in the Jail Lobby at 707 West 13^th St. and accessible during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lobby is closed 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The vending machine items are free. 

Jail Services partnered with SWACH and Carelon on the Naloxone vending machine because of the clear alignment with the departmental mission to promote and maintain public safety through effective correctional and reentry practices. On average, 7% of the non-incarcerated population in Washington experiences an Opioid Use Disorder contrasted to over 53% of the jail population. Studies have also found the risk of death from a drug overdose within two weeks of release from a jail is 13 times higher than the general public. 

“Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health is proud to sponsor and support the naloxone vending machine at the Clark County Jail,” said SWACH Executive Director Nichole Peppers. “Sashila Mistiuk, SWACH’s Community Health Improvement Project Manager, worked collaboratively with both county jail leadership and Carelon Behavioral Health to secure a naloxone vending machine at the jail ensuring the community has access to Narcan and other harm reduction supplies.”

The new machine expands SWACH’s naloxone vending machine network, which includes five other locations across Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties. The network is part of a broader initiative being led by SWACH’s Community Health Improvement Department, which aims to address opioid use disorder and substance use disorder (OUD/SUD) along with other crucial regional health needs like behavioral and physical health integration, rural health networks, and reentry.

“Clark County Jail Services wants to ensure anyone leaving the jail, as well as friends, family and community members, are easily able to procure naloxone to reduce death from opioid overdose,” said Jail Services Director David Shook. 

Jail Services is taking additional steps to reduce opioid overdose deaths including:

• Medical screening for Opioid Use Disorder at time of booking
• Providing in-custody clinical services related to medications for Opioid Use Disorder
• Issuing naloxone for all corrections officers to carry on duty

Providing naloxone at time of release to anyone who receives opioid treatment while in jail and anyone who requests it through partnership with the Washington Department of Health Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program

Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.