Harm Reduction Around the Clock: Your Guide to Manitowoc’s Public Health Vending Machine

Published On: April 21, 2025Categories: PreventionTags: 2.1 min read

A Simple Process That Could Save Lives

Manitowoc County’s first Public Health Vending Machine (PHVM) is now operational at the Northeastern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center (NEWAHEC) on York Street, providing free 24/7 access to vital harm reduction supplies like Narcan® (naloxone) and fentanyl test strips. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our community’s efforts to prevent overdose deaths and reduce harm from opioid use.

How to Use the Vending Machine

Using the vending machine is straightforward:

  1. Approach the machine located outside NEWAHEC at 621 York Street in downtown Manitowoc
  2. Enter the code 1234 on the keypad
  3. Answer two brief questions:
    • Your ZIP code
    • Your age
  4. Select your items – You can receive up to two free items:
    • Narcan (naloxone nasal spray)
    • Fentanyl test strips
  5. Retrieve your items from the dispensing tray, just like a regular vending machine

There is no cost for these potentially life-saving supplies.

Why This Matters

In 2023, Manitowoc County lost 18 community members to overdose deaths. “Overdoses can happen to anyone, at any time, regardless of background or circumstance,” explains Emily Longmeyer-Wolf, NEWAHEC Social Worker and Healthiest Manitowoc County Substance Use Prevention Coalition (HMC-SUP) co-chair. “By making Narcan and fentanyl test strips easily accessible, we’re ensuring that anyone—whether they struggle with addiction or not—has the tools they need to save a life.”

“By placing these tools within reach at all times, we’re saying clearly that every life in our community is worth saving,” adds Natasha Khan of Manitowoc County Public Health and HMC-SUP co-chair.

Community Impact

On April 16, 2025, The Chamber of Manitowoc County helped us celebrate the official launch of this resource with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community partners, healthcare professionals, and advocates. The enthusiasm and support from our community highlighted the importance of this initiative and our collective commitment to addressing the overdose crisis.

This PHVM was strategically placed in downtown Manitowoc. By providing these resources in an anonymous, stigma-free way, we at NEWAHEC, together with HMC-SUP, are taking concrete steps to save lives and prevent future tragedies.

This innovative harm reduction resource is funded through a local grant to help remove barriers of cost, stigma, and access—empowering individuals to make safer choices and potentially save lives. Developed through a collaboration of local organizations and volunteers, the PHVM reflects our shared commitment to health, safety, and dignity for all.

Learn More

For more information about harm reduction and overdose prevention resources, please visit newahec.org/public-health-vending-machine/ or healthiestmc.org/vending-machine/.

Together, we can create a healthier and safer Manitowoc County, where everyone is living longer, better.