Since the beginning of the 21st century, hundreds of thousands of Americans have died of accidental overdoses caused by the synthetic drug fentanyl. Since 2016 alone, when fentanyl entered the national lexicon following the death of Prince, fentanyl-related deaths have nearly quadrupled. And today, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90 percent of all opioid-related overdose deaths involve fentanyl.
This crisis also remains front and center in Minneapolis, where over the past five years, despite making up approximately only 7.5% of Minnesota’s population, the city has accounted for at least one in five of all opioid-related deaths in the state.
Therefore, city leaders have initiated a new pilot program to save lives, placing the first-ever NARCAN vending machine outside of Fire Station 21 at 3209 East 38th Street. NARCAN, the brand name for one formulation of the medication known as naloxone, is a life-saving antidote designed to instantly reverse the effects of opioid poisoning and restore breathing to those to whom it is administered.
“We know that people across our country are suffering from some form of opioid addiction. We know that this is a drug, and specifically fentanyl, that has taken control of people’s lives like nothing we’ve seen before,” said Mayor Jacob Frey, who was joined by Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner, Health Commissioner Damōn Chaplin, and Deputy Health Commissioner Heidi Ritchie, at a July 3 press conference outside of Fire Station 21.
“And we know we have the tools to help,” the Mayor continued. “We have the tools to prevent someone from dying in the form of this NARCAN vending machine. We also have the tools to help people get better. So, that’s what we are working toward in the city of Minneapolis.”
Station 21 was selected as the site of the vending machine due to the elevated number of overdoses that have occurred in the surrounding area during the past few years. According to the city, there were a total of 38 opioid-related deaths in this area from 2017 to 2021. Through the first six months of 2024, there have already been 74 suspected overdoses, including four opioid-related deaths in the neighborhood.
The NARCAN vending machine is easy to use and “free to community members with no barriers.” In addition, the machine is available 24 hours a day and contains more than 100 boxes of NARCAN, each with two doses.
“Our community focus is to proactively engage in dialogue, share information, and initiate prevention services to effectively minimize the risk to life, property, and the environment,” explained Chief Tyner. “And that is exactly what we are doing today with this NARCAN machine… We are proud to partner with Mayor Frey, the Minneapolis Health Department, and the community by placing the first life-saving NARCAN vending machine outside Fire Station 21.”
“This opioid crisis hits home for many of us like myself, who have several family members who are in long-term recovery,” added Commissioner Chaplin. “I came to Minneapolis with a mission to find solutions and instill hope in those who are struggling or suffering from substance misuse.
“The city’s $10,000-plus investment in this vending machine will pay immediate dividends. And hopefully, like the mayor said, save lives.”
Chaplin also took a moment to acknowledge Deputy Commissioner Ritchie, “who had the vision to bring the vending machine to Minneapolis,” and the city’s Opioid Response Team, “who ran with the idea once she presented it.”
Assembled media and community members also heard from Christopher Burks, who is now three-plus years into his tenure as program director of the Twin Cities Recovery Project. Burks shared his personal experience with addiction, which has lasted more than three decades.
“I’m a person in long-term recovery. What that means today is that it’s been four years since I’ve had the use of any substance,” he explained. “NARCAN has saved my life seven different times… Naloxone saves lives. I wouldn’t be standing here if it didn’t. What the city of Minneapolis is saying at Station 21 with this vending machine is that they care about their community members.”
Mayor Frey, who told the MSR that the city is also currently working on other methods of NARCAN distribution, demonstrated how easy it is to use the vending machine while adding, “The ability to get free NARCAN at a moment’s notice is a critical component of making sure that people can stay alive. And then making sure that they can get better.”
Likewise, Commissioner Chaplin stated that allowing people to access this life-saving medication at any time is subject to “no judgment and no stigma.”
For more information about the city’s new NARCAN vending machine at Fire Station 21 and other opioid and substance abuse resources, visit www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/health/current-concerns/opioids.
