Allegheny County has introduced a new outdoor vending machine that dispenses free naloxone, a life-saving overdose-reversal medication commonly known by its brand name, Narcan. The machine is strategically located outside the county’s Department of Human Services building at 1 Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh. This initiative aims to widen access to naloxone in a central, easily accessible location.
Katie Wooten, the overdose prevention program manager at the Allegheny County Health Department, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. “This collaboration with the Department of Human Services allows us to expand low-barrier access in a highly visible, central location,” she stated. The vending machine is accessible 24 hours a day, providing an opportunity for individuals to obtain naloxone anonymously and without the burden of retail costs. Wooten expressed confidence that this initiative will help prevent overdose deaths by making the medication readily available to those in need.
Previously, efforts to deploy outdoor naloxone vending machines faced challenges, primarily due to weather-related issues. Ronnie Das, a spokesperson for the county’s health department, noted, “We have since become much better at understanding the requirements needed and best tools to use to make the program more successful.” This new machine represents a significant step forward in addressing the opioid crisis in the region.
The concept of free naloxone vending machines has been successfully implemented in other states. Advocates argue that this approach effectively reaches individuals who may hesitate to purchase the drug due to stigma or cost. A recent analysis from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health supports this, indicating that such machines can contribute to a reduction in fatal overdoses.
In 2025, Allegheny County reported a preliminary total of 327 overdose deaths, a notable decrease from the peak of 719 overdose deaths recorded in 2021. This decline highlights the urgent need for continued efforts in overdose prevention and treatment. In recent years, the county’s health department has distributed over 66,000 free Narcan kits to individuals and organizations throughout the area.
In addition to the vending machine, naloxone is available through newspaper-style stands and wall-mounted cabinets located in various libraries, shelters, and substance use treatment centers across the county. A comprehensive list of naloxone access points can be found at HarmReductionAllegheny.org.
The launch of this vending machine underscores Allegheny County’s commitment to combatting the opioid epidemic by enhancing access to crucial life-saving resources. As naloxone becomes more accessible, officials hope to further decrease the number of overdose-related fatalities in the community.
