Vending machines containing free Narcan will be placed at five CTA stations with the aim of expanding access to the life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, Cook County officials announced Monday. [WTTW]

The vending machines will be located at the 47th Street Red Line station, Wilson Red and Purple Line station, Jefferson Park Blue Line station, Harlem/Lake Green Line station and the Central Park Pink Line station. 

The locations were selected based on heightened opioid-related emergency medical responses and input from surrounding communities and various community stakeholders, according to Chicago Transit Authority Acting President Nora Leerhsen.

The six-month pilot initiative is a partnership with the CTA and Cook County Health. Officials and community leaders gathered Monday for a news conference at the 47th Street Red Line station, where one of the vending machines is installed.

“The vending machines will provide a low barrier, no cost and anonymous way for anyone to obtain naloxone, whether it’s for themselves, a loved one or a stranger,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “This is not about judgment or stigma. It’s about ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to respond to an emergency.”

Cook County Health is using $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, federal funds to cover the cost of vending machine installation and maintenance, according to Cook County Health CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis.

“To those dealing with an opioid use disorder, it is our hope that the availability of naloxone in CTA stations serves as a reminder that you are seen, that you are cared about, that there is treatment, that there is hope and that you are absolutely not alone,” Cook County Health Chief Behavioral Health Officer Dr. Thomas Nutter said.

In August, repurposed newsstands containing free Narcan launched in Uptown in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and 46th Ward Ald. Angela Clay’s office.

In 2023, CDPH and CTA launched a pilot vending machine program to provide free Narcan at the 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station. Vending machines were also installed at Harold Washington Library, Uptown Library, Garfield Community Service Center and the Roseland Community Triage Center.

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