ELYRIA — Lorain County’s first harm reduction vending machine is now operating outside Family Planning Services (FPS) in Elyria, providing free, around-the-clock access to essential health and safety supplies.
Installed on May 8, 2025, the machine is located at 602 Leona Street and is part of a joint initiative between FPS and Lorain County Public Health. The goal is to improve community health outcomes by reducing overdoses, preventing disease transmission, and offering discreet access to medical and hygiene resources.
Available supplies include Narcan (naloxone) kits for reversing opioid overdoses, fentanyl test strips, pregnancy tests, safe sex kits (which contain condoms, dental dams, and lubricant), menstruation products, first aid kits, sharps containers for the safe disposal of needles, and printed resource guides for local support services.
The machine is accessible 24/7 and does not require identification, payment, or face-to-face interaction. A code to access the machine is posted on-site, and there are no limits on how many items can be taken. A short time delay between item selections helps manage restocking and prevent bulk depletion.
Inventory levels are monitored remotely through a Wi-Fi connection, allowing staff to track usage and refill supplies as needed. Organizers report that the machine has already seen high usage, especially for Narcan and first aid kits.
Funding for the project came from the Ohio Department of Health’s Regional Prevention and Linkage to Care Collaborative. The Lorain County Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund contributed menstruation products. Family Planning Services supplies Narcan, first aid kits, and safe sex items, while Lorain County Public Health provides sharps containers.
This vending machine is part of a broader harm reduction strategy being implemented across Ohio. Similar machines have been installed in other counties, including the first in Cincinnati in 2021. A 2023 study by the University of Cincinnati linked that pilot program to reductions in overdose deaths and the spread of HIV in Hamilton County.
More information on Lorain County’s overdose prevention programs, including how to obtain Narcan, is available at www.loraincountyhealth.com/opioids.