‘Saving lives’: Ponca Tribe of Nebraska installs vending machines with free Narcan

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is filling vending machines at their health centers — but not with food.

Instead, the machines are stocked with supplies that could save lives.

“These vending machines are just one way of us meeting you where you’re at when you need help,” said LuAnne Even, the chief behavioral health officer at Ponca Health Services.

There’s a stigma around addiction — a stigma that could discourage some people from reaching out for the help they need.

So the Ponca Tribe is installing vending machines with free resources in five locations in Nebraska — Lincoln, Omaha, Niobrara and Norfolk — plus one in Sioux City, Iowa.

The machines hold things like Narcan, fentanyl testing strips and first aid kits.

“We wanted to be able to provide that to our clients in a way that was discrete and honors their safety and their health,” Even said.

And it’s not just for people battling addiction.

The machines also have feminine hygiene kits, pregnancy tests, sun safety products and more.

All of the supplies are free for anyone in need.

“This is a way for them to have that access without having to feel any sort of judgment,” Even said.

She said the team behind this project has a couple big goals.

“Reducing the harm of substance use,” she said. “Saving lives, essentially, to be able to have those things on hand if there is an overdose. And also being that touchpoint, that first step in that journey to recovery and getting help.”

If there is a need for additional resources, Even said the team would like to expand.

“We really want to consider what it would look like to have these machines placed outside so there’s open access 24 hours a day,” she said.

The vending machines will soon have culturally significant items as well, including sage, smudge and bead kits.