On Monday, New York City health officials unveiled the first free public health vending machine in Brooklyn.
It’s stocked with items like naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses, fentanyl test strips, hygiene kits, crack pipes, and safe sex kits.
Each tray on the vending machine holds between 13 and 18 products, accessible to the public by punching in their correct zip code.
By 11:30 am, the only products left were two fentanyl-testing kits – the entire vending machine was wiped out in less than 24 hours.
Officials say similar machines in the U.S., Europe, and Australia have demonstrated effectiveness at reducing overdose rates and the spread of infectious diseases.
One disgruntled resident, who can see the vending machine from her bedroom window, complained that it should be put in the lobby of one of the resource buildings rather than on the street.
Officials say they hope to put syringes in the next public health vending machines.
Read More Here: NY Debuts Public Health Vending Machine With Crack Pipes
