To combat the opioid crisis, the city of Boston is installing four public health vending machines and eight indoor kiosks distributing life-saving Narcan and other harm reduction supplies, according to a Seattle Times report.
The initiatives aim to increase access to critical resources like clean syringes and fentanyl test strips, reduce overdose deaths, and destigmatize harm reduction strategies. The city has seen a 33% decrease in overdose deaths in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The vending machines will be located at various community centers and shelters, while the kiosks, repurposed from old newspaper stands, will be placed in areas with high overdose rates. In addition to harm reduction supplies, the kiosks will provide information on support resources and treatment options.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the city to address the opioid epidemic and improve public health outcomes.