By: Mary Leaver, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Public Information Department
Three vending machines that dispense free, lifesaving medicine are now available to the public, courtesy of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
The Narcan, or naloxone, vending machines are located at FireLake Discount Foods, FireLake Entertainment Center and the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort.
“We have been working on these machines since last year. The CPN Medical Education Department received a grant (to fund the machines). So, we’ve been working to get these machines into action,” said Chad Stieben, CPN Health Education Department.
Stieben is hopeful machines like these can contribute to the efforts to reduce the rates of fatal drug overdoses.
According to National Public Radio, national surveys compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show an unprecedented decline in drug deaths in 2024 of roughly 10.6 percent. This is a large reversal from recent years when fatal overdoses regularly increased by double digit percentages, the NPR report said.
Dr. Rahul Gupta, the White House drug czar, told NPR that he would like to see more funding for addiction treatment and healthcare services, especially in Native American and Black communities where overdose deaths remain high.
“There is no way we’re going to beat this epidemic by not focusing on communities that are often marginalized, underserved and communities of color,” Gupta said.
CPN and community support
Stieben is proud of the fact that the effort to produce and deploy the machines was fully supported by CPN. The decorative wrap around the machine was even designed in-house by CPN Graphic Designer Trey DeLonais.
“The machines hold 75 boxes per machine and there are two doses per box,” he said. “The one at FireLake Entertainment Center, we will eventually be moving when the new casino is finished.”
Stieben is pleased with the rollout process and the public reception. Within six weeks, more than 800 boxes were dispensed.
“We are restocking with another round of Narcan,” he said. “It’s been a successful rollout with people coming in and getting a box even if it’s just to have ‘just in case.’ They might not ever have to use it, but even if it’s just precautionary, it’s still a good idea.”
He is encouraged by the number of people who have asked when more boxes will be available.
“The numbers are really what I was looking forward to seeing. It was a really good reception in the community,” Stieben said. “Even if it just helps one or two people, that’s enough.”
Easy to use
Stieben said the Narcan is free of charge and the machine is easy to use, like vending machines where food or drinks are dispensed.
“It’s much like any other vending machine; you just select the number. For example, if it’s 22, just type 22 into the machine and then it will vend you out a box of Narcan and you just grab it and go on your way,” he said.
There is no age restriction on the machine, so even young people may obtain a box of naloxone and keep it on hand in case of an emergency.
There is no risk of adverse effects from administering Narcan.
“In our classes we cover that there are no adverse effects to naloxone. If you were to use that Narcan and they weren’t overdosing but maybe displaying symptoms that were similar to an overdose, (Narcan) is not going to hurt the person,” he said.
Given the positive reception the machines have had, Stieben said there are plans to place two additional Narcan machines in the community.
He hopes that increased awareness will continue to save lives.
“If we can be a part of that, trying to turn the tide, because I know that there’s been a lot of families and especially young people that have been affected by this,” he said. “And it’s just so important to get the word out and spread awareness.”
