MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County will soon have 11 new “Harm Reduction Vending Machines” located around the county to combat overdose deaths, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and other health officials said Monday.

The machines will be placed based on data and need, and will provide free access to harm reduction supplies. That includes fentanyl test strips, nasal naloxone, medication deactivation pouches, medication lock bags and gun locks.

What You Need To Know

  • Milwaukee County will soon have 11 new “Harm Reduction Vending Machines” to combat overdose deaths

  • The machines will be placed based on data and need, and will provide free access to harm reduction suppliesm such as fentanyl test strips, among other things

  • In 2022, there were 667 drug overdose deaths in Milwaukee County, according to health officials

  • Earlier this year, the County Board approved $11 million in opioid settlement funds to support 15 projects over the next three fiscal years

In 2022, there were 667 drug overdose deaths in Milwaukee County, according to health officials. Milwaukee continues to have some of the highest rates of overdose deaths in the entire state.

Earlier this year, the County Board approved $11 million in opioid settlement funds to support 15 projects over the next three fiscal years.

“The opioid epidemic reaches communities in all parts of the county. It crosses all socio-economic, demographic and age ranges — there is no ‘type’ of person who succumbs to opioid addiction. Last year’s opioid settlement allows us to get to work right away funding projects that will help save lives and mitigate continued suffering for residents and their loved ones,” said Crowley in a press release.

Crowley said with the new vending machines, the county is taking a step forward to bring “desperately needed resources” to people in the community that need it.

Harm reduction tools are an “evidenced-based” way to prevent deaths for people who use drugs, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Locations of the county’s vending machines were selected based a number of factors, including on the quality of the application, interviews, a review of data regarding greatest need and an assessment of foot traffic and accessibility.

“The vending machines, placed in key locations across the county, will reduce barriers to these essential, lifesaving tools,” said Dr. Ben Weston, Milwaukee County chief health policy advisor, in a press release. “By making fentanyl test strips, naloxone nasal spray, and other critical harm reduction supplies free and available without stigma, we can drive down the injury and harm from opioid overdoses in our community.”

Officials said this project will be studied so it can be expanded to 14 vending machines in 2024.

One of the notable locations for the new machines is Milwaukee County’s Community Reintegration Center, which will make supplies available to those being released from custody and for visitors.

Another of the machines — now located at the MLK Jr. Community Center — was previously at the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services building. It was relocated because the community center saw higher foot traffic.

“By following the data and investing in the communities with the highest need, I am optimistic we will make our streets safer and help residents begin or continue their road to recovery,” said Crowley in a statement.

You can find the locations of the new vending machines by taking a look at the interactive map online or by searching below: