The County of Monterey Health Department is significantly expanding its overdose-prevention efforts with the launch of four new Narcan vending machines on December 8. This addition doubles the number of free, 24/7 access points for naloxone and fentanyl test strips across the county—from four to eight locations.
This expansion builds on the County’s initial rollout earlier this year and broadens access for college students, families, transit riders, and justice-involved residents—communities that have been deeply affected by the opioid crisis.
Each vending machine provides free Narcan (naloxone) and fentanyl test strips, along with easy step-by-step instructions in English and Spanish to help users recognize the signs of overdose and respond quickly. Machines can hold up to 250 units of naloxone and 250 fentanyl test strip kits and feature a simple touchscreen interface.
New Locations (Available December 9)
- Monterey Peninsula College – 980 Fremont Street, Monterey
- Soledad Fire Department – 525 Monterey Street, Soledad
- North County Recreation & Park District (NCRPD) – 11261 Crane Street, Castroville
- Monterey County Jail #2 – 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas
Existing Locations
- Behavioral Health Access Outpatient Clinic – 30 Pearl Street, Salinas
- MST Salinas Transit Center – 110 Salinas Street, Salinas
- MST Marina Transit Station – 280 Reservation Road, Marina
- Monterey County Jail #1 – 1410 Natividad Road, Salinas
Naloxone—commonly known by the brand name Narcan—is a safe, fast-acting medication that can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes. National data underscores the urgent need for accessible overdose-reversal tools: more than 100,000 people in the U.S. die from drug overdoses each year, and opioids are involved in nearly 75 percent of those deaths.
“This expansion reflects our continued commitment to saving lives by making overdose-prevention tools as easy to access as a bottle of water,” said Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health Services for the County of Monterey Health Department. “By placing Narcan vending machines in transit hubs, colleges, recreation centers, and jail facilities, we are meeting people where they are and giving families, students, and community members the ability to act in an emergency.”
The vending machine initiative is funded through opioid settlement dollars and is part of a comprehensive countywide strategy aimed at reducing opioid-related harm while expanding treatment and recovery pathways. In partnership with Decoded, a statewide youth substance-use education campaign, the County is also developing youth-focused messaging to help prevent opioid misuse and support young people navigating substance-use challenges.
For more information on naloxone access points and harm-reduction resources in Monterey County, visit:
https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/health/behavioral-health/opioid-safety-information-and-resources-copy-10308
Leave a Reply