To mark National Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 30, 2024, Marin County installed eight more naloxone vending machines, including three established over the summer by OD Free Marin. These machines support the goal of combating the growing opioid crisis with increased naloxone availability.
Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan, is a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses. Each machine and Naloxbox dispense free naloxone kits containing nasal spray and fentanyl test strips. Senior Alex Sumski, co-chair of the Youth Action Team at OD Free, highlights the benefits of this method of distribution.

“Vending machines have been really great because they provide an easy and free way for people to get life-saving substances,” Sumski said.

With the installation of these machines, there have been 290 nonfatal overdoses in 2024, a significant decrease from the 463 recorded in 2023 in Marin. Todd Schirmer, director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in Marin, explains that increasing the availability of free Narcan kits is part of the broader approach to reducing the high number of overdoses.
“Part of the strategy is to increase the availability of naloxone throughout the county and to make it easily accessible, to ensure that as many people as possible have kits readily available to them so that if they do encounter someone who is experiencing an overdose, they are ready and able to intervene,” Schirmer said.
While the number of nonfatal overdoses has decreased, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Marin residents 55 years and younger. To combat this, the machines have been installed in targeted locations, such as San Rafael Kaiser Permanente medical offices, to support those most at risk. However, Colyn Heimerman, the youth coordinator at OD Free, explains the machines are not just for emergencies. More importantly, they guarantee that anyone can have easy access to life-saving medication before a crisis occurs.

“We really want to destigmatize carrying [naloxone] and having it on hand because it’s really about keeping everyone safe and keeping everyone alive,” Heimerman said. “I sometimes compare [Narcan] to a fire extinguisher: you never want to have to use it, but it’s there in case you do.”

By establishing Narcan as a vital tool for overdose prevention, OD Free plans to encourage open conversations about Narcan’s role in saving lives.
“People accepting the use of Narcan means that they’re accepting the fact that there is a drug problem. There is a fentanyl problem, and it has to be changed by learning how deadly it is. [Education] really changes how people view these stigmas,” Sumski said.
Redwood Wellness Center has Narcan on hand for any student. This judgment-free access to Narcan is crucial to reducing overdoses. Normalizing and breaking the stigma of having naloxone on hand helps to create safer environments where everyone can safely get the help they need.

“For teens, it’s a way that you can save your friends’ lives, your family member’s life, or even just somebody that you see on the street,” Schirmer said.

While there is always a desire to install more vending machines and

Naloxboxes, OD Free, frequently distributes at select farmers markets and informational panels throughout the year to continue educating teens and the community.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, the Redwood Wellness Center is open during school and has counselors available. For additional information on naloxone and how to obtain Narcan spray, please visit the Redwood Wellness Center or odfreemarin.org.