Naloxone, fentanyl testing strips vending machines arrive in Monterey County

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) -- Four new naloxone and fentanyl testing strips vending machines are being introduced in Monterey County.

All the installations are part of a 2-year pilot project. Each machine contains 200 doses of naloxone and 50 fentanyl test strips.

The locations are:

• Monterey County Jail
  1410 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA
  
• Behavioral Health Access Outpatient Clinic
  30 Pearl Street, Salinas, CA
  
• MST Salinas Transit Center
  110 Salinas Street, Salinas, CA
  
• MST Marina Transit Center
  280 Reservation Road, Marina, CA

"They were specifically chosen because they're hotspots for overdoses. We heard stories and had information, especially from our local fire department who are going out and providing intervention for our community members," Deputy Director of Quality Improvement and Substance Use Disorder Services Lindsey O'Leary said.

While the pilot program is focused on these locations for now, they hope to expand countywide.

"It is hard to find some agencies and entities who would host the vending machines. Our hope is that we do go wide. If there are any interested parties that want to partner with the health department, reach out to us so we can work on adding more kiosks across the county," Monterey County Behavioral Health Compliance Officer Shiba Sumeshwar said.

A ribbon cutting for a new kiosk will be hosted at the MST Salinas Transit Center at Noon on May 1.