4 Narcan Vending Machines Set Up In McHenry County

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Four Narcan vending machines have ben set up across McHenry County and will provide the drug at no cost to local residents.

The Narcan vending machines are located in the cafeteria at McHenry County College, 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake; The Other Side Cafe & Sober Bar, 135 Beardsley St., Crystal Lake; Community Health Partnership, 62 N. Ayer St., Harvard; and Youth and Family Center of McHenry County, 1011 Green St., McHenry.

Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is a life-saving medication capable of reversing opioid overdoses, and the vending machines are meant to provide wider access to the life-saving medication, according to a news release.

Additionally, each machine will have fentanyl test strips available. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.

Each of the vending machines can hold 54 boxes of Narcan Nasal Spray, totaling 108 doses. Educational resources, including brochures showcasing how to use Narcan, will be posted on or near the machines, according to the news release.

"We are excited to provide this Narcan vending machine to the community. It is a great opportunity to have it at The Other Side’s community room in downtown Crystal Lake, where we regularly host family support groups and Narcan trainings," said Bobby Gattone, executive director of New Directions Addiction Recovery Services.

In addition to working alongside local organizations, the McHenry County Department of Health is continuing to offer presentations on how to administer Narcan. Presentations can be requested here.

For more information on the Narcan vending machines, you can visit MCDH.info. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with opioid addiction, A Way Out – McHenry County offers substance use assessment and treatment placement on a 24/7 basis. For support and navigation to treatment, please visit their website, call (815) 347-0385, or email INFO@NDARS.ORG.