COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Unique vending machines across Columbus are offering free products that can reduce drug overdose deaths and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. 

The preventative vending machines, with six locations across the city, are filled with fentanyl test strips, naloxone nasal spray, condoms and pregnancy tests. All items in the machines are free of charge.

Columbus Public Health purchased the vending machines through a grant, and The Columbus and Franklin County Addiction Plan developed partnerships with local institutions to house the machines.

Columbus Public Health will provide supplies for the machines for the first year, and possibly the second year if funding is available. After that, it’s up to each location to stock the machines themselves, according to Columbus Public Health spokesperson Kelli Newman. The department utilized overdose and infectious diseases data to identify locations where the machines could have the greatest positive impact on residents.

“These harm reduction items are for anyone who needs and wants them,” Newman said. “Anyone can sign up at our vending machine partner locations and answer a simple five-question demographic survey which gives them a unique ID code to use for the vending machine.”

The machines ask for users’ gender, age, ethnicity, zip code and if they have ever overdosed. The demographic information collected is confidential and does not include any personal identifying details. 

“These vending machines remove barriers by providing a confidential and non-stigmatizing way to get the supplies that people need when they need them,” Newman said. ”The items also have education on the packages to help provide more education and link people to medical care.”

With limited supplies and funding, Newman said the health department limits the amount of items allowed per person through their ID code. Each person is allowed one package of four condoms per week, one package of five fentanyl test strips per week, one naloxone kit twice a month and one pregnancy test once a month.

“The placement of the harm reduction vending machines in high incident zip codes will help decrease overdose deaths and infectious diseases, and improve infant mortality rates by identifying pregnancies early,” Newman said.

The most recent machine was placed in the Franklin County Municipal Court in March. Newman said Columbus Public Health is in the process of confirming a seventh location for a vending machine, which has yet to be announced.

Locations with harm reduction vending machines include:

• Equitas Health – 750 E. Long St.
• Huckleberry House – 1720 Kenmore Rd.
• Community Medical Services – 1380 Dublin Rd.
• SAFER Station – 368 W. Park Ave.
• Central Outreach Wellness Center – 2680 W. Broad St.
• Franklin County Municipal Court – 375 S. High St., 6^th Floor

As of March 15, the six vending machines have dispensed 1,884 condoms, 1,805 fentanyl test strips, 501 pregnancy tests and 691 naloxone kits.