GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – In a positive step to combating the opioid crisis and other public health battles in the community, officials in Outagamie County revealed a public health vending machine.
The Grand Chute Fire Department placed the new machine outside Station No. 2 at 3900 West Spencer Street. The public health vending machine is available every second of every day of the year.
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The machine boxes of Narcan, which is used in the case of an opioid overdose. Narcan is supposed to reverse and block the effects of opiates, restoring a person’s breathing, and can be life-saving.
According to the Grand Chute Fire Department and Outagamie County Public Health, the number of opioid deaths increased by about 132% from 2015-2023. While the increase has reportedly plateaued, it is still high.
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Officials report that the annual death rate average is about 12.4 per 100,000 people. Opioid hospitalizations across Wisconsin have increased 29% in the same timeframe as well.
If you or somebody close to you is experiencing an overdose, immediately call 911.
