Howard County installs free 24/7 vending machines with naloxone, test strips

HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — Howard County residents now have two new places to pick up free naloxone and other overdose-prevention supplies at any time of day, without having to speak to anyone.

The Howard County Health Department has installed two Naloxone and Safe Choice Vending Machines that provide free, 24/7, anonymous access to overdose reversal medication.

In addition to two-dose boxes of naloxone, the machines also offer condoms; test strips for fentanyl, xylazine, barbiturates and medetomidine; and QR codes that link users to immediate naloxone training and treatment resources.

From June 2025 through May 2026, there were 13 opioid-related deaths in Howard County, according to the Maryland Department of Health Overdose Dashboard. During that same timeframe, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services personnel administered naloxone to 163 individuals.

Access to naloxone leads to measurable drops in opioid overdose deaths,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, the county health officer. “This vending machine investment will help lower the barriers of stigma, cost, and access to these essential resources. We want to provide people with a safe place to get naloxone, test strips, and other safe choice materials, while also providing information on how to get help when they are ready.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball called the machines another step to prevent overdose deaths and connect people to care.

Every life lost to overdose is a tragedy, and expanding access to proven, life-saving tools is one of the most effective ways we can protect our residents,” Ball said. “These new Naloxone and Safe Choice Vending Machines provide free, around-the-clock access to overdose reversal medication, contaminant test strips, and information that can connect individuals to treatment and support services. By removing barriers and increasing accessibility, Howard County is taking another important step to prevent overdose deaths and strengthen the health and well-being of our community.

The outdoor locations were selected using data from theHoward County Substance Use Dashboard and Overdose Risk Map, along with stakeholder feedback focused on accessibility and areas of highest need.

The machines are located at:

• Grassroots Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey, 10390 Guilford Road, Jessup, MD 20794, on the right side of the front entrance.
• Howard County Health Department, 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, MD 21045, on the right-side entrance of the building, under the green Environmental Health awning near Silverman Treatment Solutions.

Funding for the project came through the Howard County Opioid Restitution Fund, administered by the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. While the items are free, users must enter basic demographic information for internal data collection.

“The availability of these no cost vending machines brings relief and pride to my heart,” said Barbara Allen, Howard County ORF Commission co-chair. “Relief, because finally anyone hindered by the stigma around substance use disorders can access life-saving options at their convenience. Pride, because our ORF Commission has strongly advocated for these through the proper use of Howard County’s opioid restitution funds. I am truly excited these are now part of the many solutions of hope here in our County!”