Weber County to offer Narcan vending machine

WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The Weber County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is offering free Narcan kits via a vending machine to help prevent overdoses.

WCSO announced today that there is now a Narcan Vending Machine that is open to the public. It is located in the lobby of the Weber County Sheriff’s Office at 1400 Depot Drive, Ogden, UT 84404.

The vending machine is stocked with Narcan, also called Naloxone, which is a medication that can help reverse opioid overdoses. Every Narcan kit in the machine comes with the nasal spray, instructions for use, and information on additional resources.

The machine is open to staff, visitors, and community members and the access code is 1234, according to WCSO. Access to the vending machine is not only free, but also anonymous. Some brief questions are asked to help track restocking, but no personal information is collected.

WCSO says that access to Narcan is necessary for anyone who has access to opioids, whether prescription or otherwise. They also say, “Accidental overdoses can happen anywhere, and being prepared could save a life.”

Signs and Symptoms of an overdose

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), an overdose can happen unintentionally and can happen even when taking medication as prescribed. Anyone who takes opioids, regardless of the reason, is at risk of an overdose.

DHHS listed the following symptoms as potential signs of an overdose:

• Small, pinpoint pupils
• Shallow or stopped breathing
• Blue/purple fingernails and lips
• Faint heartbeat
• Gurgling/choking noise
• Limp body and inability to wake up

If you see an individual who may be overdosing, DHHS says you should call 911, administer naloxone if available and perform rescue breathing if necessary.

More information on opioids and overdoses can be found here.