A vending machine in New York City that offers free crack pipes, condoms, and anti-overdose meds for addicts reportedly ran out of stock overnight.
City health officials installed the big blue box in Brooklyn on Monday. By Tuesday afternoon, a drug-prevention program worker was spotted restocking the machine with safe sex kits and drug paraphernalia, The New York Post reported.
A public health vending machine in Brooklyn, which provides 24/7 access to naloxone and other “harm reduction supplies.” (New York City Department of Health)
An official from the NYC Health Department told Fox News Digital that the vending machine has sensors that alert workers when supplies are low.
The Brooklyn vending machine is the first of four machines that will be installed in neighborhoods that data shows were hit hardest by the opioid crisis, officials said. The vending machine will be hosted by the nonprofit group Serving the Underserved (S:US).
S:US and other proponents have argued that providing access to such paraphernalia and safe sex kits will help reduce drug overdoses and the spread of infectious diseases.
An S:US spokesperson said the organization shares a common goal with the city “to ensure that the public health vending machine has a net positive benefit on the surrounding community.”
Elan Quashie with Services for the UnderServed (S:US) officially opens a new vending machine in Brooklyn that will disperse fentanyl test strips and naloxone as well as hygiene kits, maxi pads, Vitamin C, and COVID-19 tests for free on June 05, 2023, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“Our outreach staff will continue to work closely with the community to ensure this tool is helpful in bringing New Yorkers into care, and supporting their recovery, as is the goal of all harm reduction tools,” the organization said.
Overdose deaths in New York City are at historic highs. In 2021, there were 2,668 overdose deaths in NYC, compared with 2,103 in 2020. In 2021, 84% of overdose deaths involved an opioid. Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, was involved in 80% of all overdose deaths, according to the NYC Department of Health.
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Officials said there were 1,370 confirmed overdose deaths in the first half of 2022. They estimate 2022 will be the deadliest year on record for overdoses if that trend continues.
Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
