FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – A Naloxone vending machine was installed August 25, 2022 at the Cumberland County Detention Center. This was made possible by the Cumberland County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, and the Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team (C-FORT), in partnership with the Cumberland County Sherrif’s Office.

Naloxone vending machines are repurposed vending machines equipped to carry up to 300 Naloxone kits. Each kit is free and will hold two doses of the overdose reversal drug with instructions for use and resources for treatment and support services. All vending machines will have 24-hours per day, 7-days a week accessibility.

In North Carolina, individuals who return to the community after having been incarcerated are 40 times more likely to suffer an overdose than the general population in the two weeks after release. 

“We’re excited for the opportunity to increase access to this life-saving measure for members of our community at greater risk of an overdose and to connect those individuals to much need resources, ”said Dr. Jennifer Green, Health Director. “In 2021, there were 183 opioid overdose deaths.”

Naloxone kits are also available at the CCDPH Pharmacy located on the first floor at 1235 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville and will be available at no charge while supplies last. Visitors will check in at the front desk and be directed to the pharmacy where naloxone can be requested.

North Carolina is able to receive these machines at no cost from the National Center for State Courts.

For more information if you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, please seek help by visiting allianceforaction.org or calling Alliance Health at 800-510-9132.

Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, is a lifesaving medication that is used to reverse an opioid overdose. It works by blocking the effects of the opioids in the person’s system, reversing the overdose. Naloxone can be given nasally or injected into the muscle.

For more information on how to administer naloxone, visit harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/understanding-naloxone/ 

For more information about Cumberland County Department of Health programs or about the Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team call 910-433-3707 or visit cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/public-health.