Narcan vending machine offers life saving help stigma free

On the south wall of the McMahon Centennial Complex on the Cameron University campus, the ability to save a life is available at your fingertips now.

How is that?

On Tuesday, Cameron University, in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), established the first Narcan vending machine not only in Lawton but at a state university.

Jennifer Glover-Rowland, Cameron University director of Student Wellness, lobbied for the machine’s placement on the campus to serve as a place where students and any members of the community may find the lifesaving inhalant used to treat overdoses, as well as fentanyl test strips.

“Substance use and abuse is everywhere,” she said. “Instead of sticking our heads in the sand, at Cameron University, we wanted to take the leap.”

Lancelot Williams, ODMHSAS prevention director, said the vending machine with Narcan and test strips make an actual impact on people’s lives.

“We’re meeting people where they are in substance use,” he said.

Narcan (Naloxene) is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. It may take multiple doses to restore breathing but has proven effective in saving lives, said Katie Lenhart, ODMHSAS Strategic Partnerships manager.

The test strips are available to help detect fentanyl. The synthetic opioid is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. You can’t see it, smell it or taste it. For many, the realization comes too late.

The machine has 54 boxes containing five doses of Narcan. Users make selections via a touch screen, enter a zip code and selection before its free dispensation, according to Lenhart.

Lenhart said the goal of getting these vending machines into public areas is to reach out to those in need in places that are stigma free.

“It’s about as simple as we can make it,” she said. “This is huge. Our goal is to put these where it’s safe and comfortable in places where there’s a need.”

Glover-Rowland said the location on campus is a perfect fit. College students are at a point in life where they experiment, she said. But they don’t have to die.

“If we can save one life,” she said, “that’s what means it’s a success.”