Photo: Wilfred Chan | Curbed
A nondescript blue vending machine recently installed by the New York City health department which offers free Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, clean pipes, and basic health supplies like maxi pads, toothbrushes, condoms, and wound-care kits is a sign of cautious hope in a city where nearly 2,700 residents died of drug overdoses in 2021. Harm reduction has only recently started gaining traction in the US and New York City is an active testing ground. Two safe consumption sites opened in 2021 are the first in the US to allow people to use drugs while supervised by trained clinicians. The city hopes the vending machines will make getting help even easier and plans to install two more. In Michigan, there are 35 vending machines in jails and public sites, funded by public and private grants and operated by local community groups.
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