Vending machine offering free health and safety tools launched at Polk County Health Department

DES MOINES, IA —A new harm reduction vending machine has been installed outside the Polk County Health Department to offer free health and safety resources to the community. The vending machine was provided by the Family Planning Council of Iowa. It will be available 24/7 to ensure simple access to life-saving tools and preventive health supplies.

The vending machine dispenses Narcan (naloxone) to reverse opioid overdoses, emergency contraceptives, birth control, condoms, lube, harm reduction kits, gun locks and more—all at no cost. No ID, payment, or registration is required.

“We want to make it easy for the community to access essential resources, not requiring someone to schedule an appointment or ask a store clerk to unlock a case,” said Allison Smith, Executive Director of the Family Planning Council of Iowa. “Some of the items are more sensitive health products, so the vending machine enables people to access potentially life-saving supplies in a more private manner.”

Through partnering to provide free harm reduction resources, the Family Planning Council of Iowa and Polk County Health Department aim to improve health outcomes for individuals and the community as a whole.

“We know that stigma, financial barriers, and accessibility challenges often prevent people from getting the resources they need,” said Juliann Van Liew, Polk County Health Department Director. “This vending machine is a harm reduction strategy that meets people where they are, providing free and judgment-free access to critical health and safety tools.”

The vending machine is located directly in front of the Polk County Health Department building at 1907 Carpenter Ave. in Des Moines. It will be regularly stocked and monitored to ensure it continues to meet community needs.

For more information about the products stocked in the vending machine, visit fpcouncil.org/vending-machine/.

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The Polk County Health Department strives to create the conditions for all people to live healthy lives by engaging residents, reducing health disparities and attending to the needs of our most vulnerable families.

Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram. For more information about the Polk County Health Department, please visit https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/.

The Family Planning Council of Iowa, a nonprofit organization based in West Des Moines, IA, is committed to providing access to quality reproductive healthcare and family planning services for all. We envision an Iowa where sexual and reproductive health results from evidence-based education, empowered decision-making, and access to care.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. For more information about the Family Planning Council of Iowa, please visit https://fpcouncil.org/.