County health department unveils new public health vending machine

By Brandi Makuski

STEVENS POINT — The Portage County Division of Public Health has unveiled a new initiative aimed at improving community health and safety: a public health vending machine (PHVM).

The machine offers a range of “harm-reduction supplies” to the public for free.

Located outside the Ruth Gilfry Center entrance at 817 Whiting Ave., the temperature-regulated vending machine is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

According to Gary Garske, county health officer, anyone can use the machine by entering their zip code. No other personal information is collected.

The machine offers free Nasal Narcan kits, fentanyl and xylazine testing strips, cable gun locks, tick kits, Deterra medication disposal bags, condoms, Hepatitis C home test kits, general hygiene kits, feminine hygiene products, emergency blankets, and resource material packets.

Dispensing limits are in place for some products to ensure fair access for everyone in the community members. The machine’s main goal is to combat the harmful impacts of opioids, Garske said.

The initiative underscores the county’s commitment to addressing the opioid epidemic and reducing the incidence of related communicable diseases, Garske added.

Garske’s department won a $55,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for the project. Public Health American Rescue Plan Act grant funding was used to purchase “harm reduction items” not related to opioid use and not covered by the grant. Garkse’s office plans to apply for restocking funding through DHS to maintain the machine, he added.