HOPE's Harm Reduction Vending Machine Offers 24/7 Access To Lifesaving Resources

Health Outreach Prevention Education (HOPE) hopes its harm reduction vending machine at 51st and Lewis will help even more people in need by continuing to provide lifesaving resources 24/7.

The machine provides things like Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and HIV self-test kits. Leaders with HOPE believe the machine will see even more use now that it's more accessible.

They said that's because the old harm reduction vending machines operated and funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse were removed because of stock shortages and the overall cost to run them.

HOPE's machine is privately funded and will remain open 24/7. HOPE's harm reduction manager, Alexa Bottoms, said the machine is constantly being restocked and can be lifesaving in some instances.

"Our goal is to get the naloxone into the hands of folks who will either fall victim to overdose themselves or be in community with someone who does, and naloxone can really be critical in those moments," Bottoms said.

Bottoms also said that a lot of people use the resources in these machines.

"A lot of hard work by volunteers and staff members go into making sure that we have plenty of inventory for this machine. We are at a point where we are restocking multiple times a day so it just kind of reiterates that need in the community," Bottoms said.

The harm reduction vending machine will require a PIN to use it, and people can register for a PIN at HOPE's website.