Chippewa Falls Seeks to Combat Opioid Crisis with Public Health Vending Machine”.

In a bid to expand their resources and address the opioid crisis, Chippewa County Public Health in Chippewa Falls is looking to add a public health vending machine. The vending machine, which would be located at the YMCA, would contain items such as Fentanyl testing strips, Narcan nasal spray, condoms, plan b, hygiene kits, toothbrushes, Doterra medication disposal bags and other items aimed at preventing opioid misuse and providing resources for community members.

The state of Wisconsin was awarded $36 million this year from lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and opioid manufacturers. Of this funding, $800,000 has been set aside for competitive grant funding to be used for public health vending machines. Chippewa County is one of several counties applying for this funding to implement the vending machine project in their area.

Importantly, the vending machine project will not be funded by tax levy dollars but rather through grant funding and opioid settlement funds. This initiative is crucial in addressing the opioid crisis and providing support to those affected in the community.

Chippewa County Public Health staff emphasized the need for the vending machine in the area, citing an increase in opioid overdose deaths in the community. Data from 2023 showed 14 overdose deaths in Chippewa County alone with 3 deaths already occurring in 2024. The goal of the vending machine is to save lives and provide resources to community members in need.

Eau Claire has had a vending machine at the county jail lobby for almost a year and has dispensed 800 boxes of Narcan nasal spray and over 2000 Fentanyl test strips. If the grant for the vending machine in Chippewa Falls is approved, Chippewa County Public Health staff expects to have it up and running by the end of the year. This initiative is crucial in addressing