In a proactive effort to support community health and safety, Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance, Inc. (WIMA) has introduced a Public Health Vending Machine in Menomonie. This innovative, life-saving initiative provides access to essential supplies, such as Narcan (naloxone), fentanyl test strips, and other harm reduction materials. The vending machine is part of WIMA’s broader harm reduction strategy, which focuses on preventing overdoses, promoting safer drug use, and connecting people to vital health resources—without stigma or judgment.
What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a public health philosophy that recognizes the reality of substance use and prioritizes minimizing its negative effects on individuals and communities. It seeks to keep people safe, healthy, and alive, regardless of whether they’re ready or willing to stop using drugs. Harm reduction strategies, such as providing access to clean needles or overdose-reversal medications like Narcan, have been proven to save lives, reduce the spread of infectious diseases, and connect individuals to treatment and recovery services.
“Harm reduction isn’t about condoning drug use; it’s about reducing the risks associated with it,” says Andrew Garr, Program Director at WIMA. “The goal is to keep people alive and as healthy as possible while supporting their autonomy and providing resources when they’re ready to seek help.”
How WIMA’s Vending Machine Works
Located in the Kaleidoscope Center in Menomonie, the Public Health Vending Machine is free to use and anonymous, with no questions asked. It’s stocked with life-saving supplies such as Narcan, which can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as fentanyl test strips that help users identify the presence of the dangerous synthetic opioid in their drugs.
In addition to these critical tools, the vending machine provides safer use kits and other resources aimed at reducing harm and promoting health among people who use drugs. This accessible service allows individuals to take steps to protect themselves and others from overdose, disease transmission, and other drug-related harms.
Why Harm Reduction Is Needed in Dunn County
Dunn County, like many communities in Wisconsin and across the U.S., has been deeply affected by the opioid epidemic and the rise in fentanyl-related overdoses. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often mixed with other drugs, increasing the risk of accidental overdose. For people who use drugs—whether occasionally or regularly—access to harm reduction tools can mean the difference between life and death.
“Harm reduction resources are critical in our community because they meet people where they are,” explains Garr. “Our vending machine ensures that life-saving tools like Narcan are available, which is vital in preventing overdoses. The more barriers we remove to access, the more lives we can save.”
By offering anonymous, free access to these supplies, WIMA’s Public Health Vending Machine helps ensure that those who need them the most can get them without fear of stigma or legal repercussions.
Supporting Public Health Through Compassion
The stigma surrounding substance use often prevents people from seeking help or accessing harm reduction tools. WIMA’s vending machine addresses this issue by providing nonjudgmental, anonymous access to critical supplies. This not only supports individual health but also benefits the entire community by reducing the number of overdoses and promoting safer practices.
Research has shown that harm reduction strategies do not encourage drug use. In fact, they do the opposite: they empower people to make safer choices, provide a connection to healthcare, and reduce the likelihood of fatal overdoses. Many people who use harm reduction services eventually seek treatment for their substance use, but only if they feel safe and supported in doing so.
“Everyone deserves to be safe and have access to health resources, regardless of their circumstances,” says Garr. “Our vending machine is one way we’re making that happen in Dunn County.”
How to Access the Vending Machine
The WIMA Public Health Vending Machine is located at 800 Wilson Ave, Room 41 in the Kaleidoscope Center. For more information about the resources available through the vending machine or to learn about WIMA’s harm reduction initiatives, please call (715) 231-3055 or visit WIMA’s website at www.milkweedalliance.org.
A Needed Resource for a Healthier Community
By providing harm reduction tools in an accessible, non-stigmatizing way, WIMA is taking a crucial step toward improving public health and safety in Dunn County. The vending machine is more than just a service; it’s a reflection of WIMA’s commitment to meeting people where they are and supporting them on their journey toward health and well-being.
As the community continues to face the challenges of the opioid crisis, initiatives like WIMA’s Public Health Vending Machine offer practical, compassionate solutions that save lives and promote healing.
Andrew Garr is Program Director at Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance, Inc. He has been involved in peer support and mental health advocacy for over a decade.
Editor’s Note: an additional Public Health Kiosk is located at the entrance to the Dunn County Health Department, 3001 US Hwy 12 E, Unit 032 (lower level).