Health Department Installs Outdoor Naloxone Vending Machine in Downtown Pittsburgh
New collaboration with Department of Human Services expands 24/7, no-cost access to live saving naloxone.
PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), in collaboration with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), has installed an outdoor naloxone vending machine at the Allegheny County Human Services Building, 1 Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh, expanding around-the-clock access to this life-saving medication at no cost.
The vending machine is available 24/7 and dispenses naloxone - commonly known by the brand name NARCAN - which can reverse opioid overdoses and has saved countless lives nationwide. This new installation strengthens ACHD’s comprehensive overdose prevention strategy by reducing barriers to access and meeting people where they are.
After a surge in overdose deaths from 2020 to 2022, ACHD has distributed more than 66,000 free NARCAN kits to individuals and organizations across Allegheny County. Because of increased availability and use of naloxone, overdose fatalities in the county have declined for three consecutive years.
Despite this progress, barriers remain. Stigma associated with opioid and fentanyl use can discourage people from purchasing naloxone at pharmacies or retail locations, and over-the-counter costs - often $35 to $50 for a two-dose kit - can be prohibitive. The new outdoor vending machine offers a private, judgment-free, and cost-free option.
“This collaboration with the Department of Human Services allows us to expand low-barrier access in a highly visible, central location,” said Katie Wooten, Overdose Prevention Program Manager at ACHD. “The 24/7 outdoor placement of the vending machine downtown is sure to prevent deaths, as more individuals can access life-saving medication on their own terms - especially those discouraged by retail prices or who want to remain anonymous.”
The vending machine is one of several naloxone dispensers ACHD has recently deployed through the CDC’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant. Since 2024, ACHD has partnered with local organizations to install wall-mounted cabinets and purple newspaper-style stands, resulting in more than 4,000 NARCAN kits accessed to date. Dispensers are strategically located in areas with higher overdose rates and at sites serving people at greatest risk.
Currently, Allegheny County has 11 newspaper-style stands and four wall-mounted cabinets available to the public at libraries, shelters, faith-based organizations, substance use treatment centers, and recovery providers.
The Allegheny County Health Department's mission is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of the more than 1.2 million people who call Allegheny County home.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services provides support for people during their most vulnerable times.
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