The Howard County Health Department has installed two vending machines that dispense free naloxone 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
The Naloxone and Safe Choice Vending Machines provide free, anonymous access to the life-saving overdose reversal medication in 2-dose boxes. The machines also dispense other supplies, like condoms, test strips for fentanyl, xylazine, barbiturates, and medetomidine, and QR codes that bring users to immediate naloxone training and treatment resources.
The two machines are at the following locations:
- Grassroots Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey, located at 10390 Guilford Road, in Jessup – the machine is on the right side of the front entrance
- Howard County Health Department, located at 8930 Stanford Blvd. in Columbia – the machine is on the right-side entrance of the Health Departmentbuilding, under the green Environmental Health awning near Silverman Treatment Solutions.
Photos of the machines and their locations can be found on the Health Department’s Flickr page.
From June 2025 through May 2026, there were 13 opioid-related deaths in Howard County. During that period, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services administered naloxone to 163 people.
“Access to naloxone leads to measurable drops in opioid overdose deaths,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer. “This vending machine investment will help lower the barriers of stigma, cost, and access to these essential resources. We want to provide people with a safe place to get naloxone, test strips, and other safe choice materials, while also providing information on how to get help when they are ready.”
The outdoor locations for the vending machines were determined by examining the Howard County Substance Use Dashboard and the Overdose Risk Map. Feedback from stakeholders also influenced the machines’ placement, aiming for accessibility and areas of highest need.
“Every life lost to overdose is a tragedy, and expanding access to proven, life-saving tools is one of the most effective ways we can protect our residents,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “These new Naloxone and Safe Choice Vending Machines provide free, around-the-clock access to overdose reversal medication, contaminant test strips, and information that can connect individuals to treatment and support services. By removing barriers and increasing accessibility, Howard County is taking another important step to prevent overdose deaths and strengthen the health and well-being of our community.”
The vending machines were paid for by the Howard County Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF), administered by the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. All items in the machines are free of charge, but people must enter basic demographic information for internal data collection purposes.
“The availability of these no cost vending machines brings relief and pride to my heart,” said Barbara Allen, Howard County ORF Commission co-chair. “Relief, because finally anyone hindered by the stigma around substance use disorders can access life-saving options at their convenience. Pride, because our ORF Commission has strongly advocated for these through the proper use of Howard County’s opioid restitution funds. I am truly excited these are now part of the many solutions of hope here in our County!”
Baltimore City has a similar machine, called a Harm Reduction Vending Machine, which is also free, anonymous, and available 24/7. It is located outside of Charm City Care Connection. Baltimore County has free Narcan Vending Machines throughout the county in public libraries and government centers. Instructions on how to use the Narcan is displayed on each vending machine.
