New vending machines in Rockford deliver free opioid overdose medicine
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Potentially life-saving opioid overdose medication is now available in the city at the push of a button.
Two naloxone vending machines have been setup in downtown Rockford. The machines contain Narcan nasal spray that’s easy to use and can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The machines are located inside the lobby of the Criminal Justice Center, 650 W. State St., and the courthouse, 420 W. State St.
“Deaths from opioid overdoses are preventable deaths,” said Sandra Martell, public health administrator for the Winnebago County Health Department. “We need to take precautions when prescribed opioids and we need to remember that anyone can save a life and every life is worth saving.”
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The health department and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office partnered to setup the machines, which were provided through a National Center for State Courts grant.
There have been an average of 145 opioid deaths each year in Winnebago County over the past three years, according to health department data.
“We administer Narcan in our patrol division on a regular basis,” Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said. “So I’m very happy that we were able to get these machines to be able to assist the public in the effort to save lives.”
Narcan has previously been available at the front window of the Criminal Justice Center, and officers there will provide brief training. Those who receive it from a vending machine can connect with training available through a smartphone QR code, and the boxes the medicine comes in have step-by-step instructions.
“Our emphasis is to make this as easy as possible to use,” Martell said. “When we first rolled out naloxone about five years ago there was almost a 45-minute training. The science and technology behind this, we’ve learned that people can learn this very simply. If you use a nasal spray of any sort, you can administer naloxone.”
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Martell said everyone should have this in their first-aid kit at home, just like Band-Aids, Neosporin or other essentials.
“This is a life-saving drug that you should have available. You don’t know if a family member may need it,” she said. “We all have that opportunity to carry it on our person and help save a life.”
To get the naloxone, you simply punch in your ZIP code and it’s dispensed. The health department plans to use that data to find out if the medicine is going to the areas of the community that need it most.
“We know where the highest rates of opioid overdose are in our community,” Martell said. “Are we getting enough in those community areas?”
She also said digital survey information will be available so they can learn more about when and where the medicine is used and if it was successfully administered. She said the department won’t be collecting personal information, such as who required the drug, when gathering that data.
“We know that we have challenges in our community of opioid overdose and this is another tool that we have to expand capability and access to naloxone,” Martell said.
Opioid deaths in Winnebago County
2019: 130
2020: 157
2021: 147
Source: Winnebago County Health Department
