Clark County Jail has installed a vending machine offering free naloxone in the lobby to treat opioid overdoses. The vending machine also provides fentanyl test strips and substance abuse treatment service information.
The vending machine’s placement is the result of a partnership with Clark County Jail Services, Southwest Washington Accountable Communities of Health and Carelon Behavioral Health, a county news release on March 22 stated.
On average, 7% of the non-incarcerated population in Washington experiences an opioid use disorder as compared with over 53% of the jail population. Studies have also found the risk of death from a drug overdose within two weeks of release from jail is 13 times higher than that of the general public, according to the news release.
“Clark County Jail Services wants to ensure anyone leaving the jail, as well as friends, family and community members, are easily able to procure naloxone to reduce death from opioid overdose,” said Jail Services Director David Shook.
The Clark County jail vending machine is located in the jail lobby, 707 W. 13th St., Vancouver. The machine is accessible during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This is the fourth vending machine offering free naloxone in the county. The other three are:
• XChange Church & Recovery Center, 21810 NE 37th Ave., Ridgefield
• Recovery Resource Center, 9317 NE Highway 99, Suite M, Vancouver
• Recovery Café, 3312 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite 100, Vancouver
