Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol has launched two 24/7 public health kiosks in Allentown and Slatington to reduce barriers to accessing naloxone (Narcan), hygiene items and other lifesaving harm-reduction supplies.

The machines are fully funded through opioid settlement dollars with no taxpayer dollars used to support the project.

“These machines are about removing barriers,” Joe Martellucci, Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Administrator said. “Any tools we can implement to make overdose prevention supplies easier to access means fewer overdose deaths in Lehigh County.”

While overdose prevention supplies and services may be easier to locate in urban areas, rural communities often have fewer options.

The Slatington kiosk helps close that gap by making critical supplies available locally, around the clock.

In both Allentown and Slatington, the devices also provide access to wound-care kits, hygiene items and other basic public health supplies.

For low-income residents, traveling to purchase these items may not always be an option.

The outdoor machines operate 24 hours a day and allow individuals to obtain supplies anonymously, reducing stigma and increasing the likelihood that lifesaving tools are used when needed.

Each kiosk features a touch screen listing available items and all supplies are dispensed free of charge.

Narcan and certain overdose-prevention supplies are available without limits, while some items, such as seasonal clothing accessories, require a QR code sent via text and are limited to one set per month.

Other items have monthly limits to ensure broad community access.

Minimal, anonymous data may be collected to help assess community needs and improve inventory over time, but users are not required to answer extensive questions to receive supplies.

Often referred to as medical vending machines, the interactive units have onboard Wi-Fi and are continuously monitored by manufacturer, Test and Go.

Inventory levels and maintenance needs are tracked in real time, allowing for restocking whenever items run low.

“All the evidence tells us that making these supplies accessible saves lives,” Molly Stanton, assistant administrator for Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol said. “This is not about encouraging behavior. It’s about preventing fatal overdoses and connecting people to information and resources without judgment.”

While the kiosks themselves do not provide treatment services, they include overdose prevention supplies, items to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and information on how to access treatment and support.

Lehigh County Public Health Kiosk locations are:

• D&L Trailhead Pavilion, 89 Main St., Slatington.

• Treatment Trends, Inc., 24 South Fifth St., Allentown.

• Access: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

County officials note it is too early to report usage data.

Inventory selections were informed by interviews with individuals in recovery and professionals working in substance use treatment programs.

As usage trends emerge, contents may be adjusted to best meet community needs.

“This is a practical, data-driven step to protect our residents,” Michelle Ellison, Opioid Settlement program manager said. “If we can prevent even one overdose death, this effort is worth it.”

For a comprehensive list of resources for individuals seeking help, including treatment options and recovery support services, visit RiseAboveOpiods.org.