Chippewa County Seeks Funds for Public Health Vending Machine

Chippewa County Public Health has applied for a state grant in hopes of adding a public health vending machine.

According to a press release from the Chippewa County Department of Public Health, the County has applied for grant funding from a $36 million opioid settlement. Of those settlement funds, state officials have set aside $1 million in competitive grant funding for local municipalities to apply for the public health vending machines.

The vending machines have become increasingly popular throughout the state. Each one contains Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, and fentanyl test strips. They can also contain other public health items, like hygiene products and drug disposal supplies.

The health department also has an online survey available to gauge community input in the necessity of the vending machines as well as where they should be put. Currently, residents can access Narcan at the Chippewa Falls YMCA.

The application is part of a larger effort to address the opioid epidemic in the Chippewa Valley. Eau Claire County already has one of the public health vending machines at the county’s jail. In just one year, that vending machine has distributed 800 boxes of Narcan and more than 2,000 fentanyl test strips.

Additionally, Eau Claire County announced the launch of its opioid data dashboard earlier this week. Officials hope the dashboard will provide lawmakers and health officials with up to date information to better inform their prevention and harm reduction efforts.

If Chippewa County’s application is approved, the vending machine could be available for use by the end of 2024.