A new outdoor vending machine dispensing free naloxone, an overdose-reversal medication commonly known by the brand name Narcan, has been installed in Downtown Pittsburgh. Located outside the Allegheny County Department of Human Services building at 1 Smithfield Street, this initiative aims to enhance accessibility to life-saving medication for those at risk of overdose.
Katie Wooten, the overdose prevention program manager at the Allegheny County Health Department, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This collaboration with the Department of Human Services allows us to expand low-barrier access in a highly visible, central location.” The machine is available 24/7, allowing individuals to access naloxone anonymously, which is crucial for those deterred by retail prices or stigma associated with purchasing the drug.
Previous attempts to install outdoor naloxone vending machines faced challenges related to weather conditions, delaying their implementation. Ronnie Das, a spokesperson for the county’s health department, noted that the county has since improved its understanding of the necessary requirements to ensure the program’s success.
According to research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, similar vending machines in other states have effectively contributed to reducing fatal overdoses. The installation of the vending machine in Pittsburgh comes at a critical time, as the county reported 327 overdose deaths in 2025, a preliminary figure indicating a decline from a peak of 719 overdose deaths in 2021.
The Allegheny County Health Department has distributed over 66,000 free Narcan kits to individuals and organizations throughout the region in recent years. In addition to the new vending machine, naloxone is also available through newspaper-style stands and wall-mounted cabinets located at various libraries, shelters, and substance use treatment centers. A complete list of naloxone access points can be found at HarmReductionAllegheny.org.
This initiative represents a significant step in addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, providing essential resources to those in need while minimizing barriers to access. With the support of the community and health officials, Allegheny County aims to continue its efforts in overdose prevention and harm reduction.
