The opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone is available for free at a new vending machine in Downtown Pittsburgh.
The machine, outside the Allegheny County Human Services building at 1 Smithfield St., will provide around-the-clock access to the medication.
Naloxone — often known by its brand name Narcan — is being provided through the Allegheny County Health Department.
“The 24/7 outdoor placement of the vending machine Downtown is sure to prevent deaths, as more individuals can access lifesaving medication on their own terms — especially those discouraged by retail prices or who want to remain anonymous,” said Katie Wooten, the county health department’s overdose prevention program manager.
Following a surge of overdose deaths from 2020 to 2022, the health department distributed more than 66,000 free Narcan kits to individuals and organizations throughout the county. Overdose fatalities in the county had declined for the past three years, a trend health officials credited to the increased availability and use of naloxone.
County health officials in a news release said barriers still remain, despite the progress in recent years.
Some people may be discouraged from buying naloxone at pharmacies or retailers because of the stigma associated with opioid and fentanyl use. Others may be deterred by the price tag, which is often around $35 to $50 for a two-dose kit.
Officials touted the outdoor vending machines as a cost-free, judgment-free way for people to obtain the lifesaving medication.
The Downtown vending machine is one of several naloxone dispensers the Allegheny County Health Department has deployed using funding from the CDC’s Overdose Data to Action grant.
Since 2024, the county has partnered with local organizations to install wall-mounted cabinets and purple newspaper-style stands to distribute over 4,000 Narcan kits. The dispensers are in areas with high overdose rates or at sites that serve people at high risk, officials said.
Naloxone also is available at no cost at various Carnegie Library locations, Focus on Renewal in McKees Rocks, Jade Wellness Center in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats, the Light of Life Rescue Mission in Pittsburgh’s North Side, Onala Recover Center in Pittsburgh’s South Side, Positive Pathways in Pittsburgh’s West End, Tree of Life Open Bible Church in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood and Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard.
