Fourth Minneapolis NARCAN® vending machine expands access to life-saving medication

The City of Minneapolis has installed its fourth NARCAN® vending machine at Fire Station 12, expanding free, anonymous and 24-hour access to the life-saving medication in a Minneapolis community affected by a high number of overdoses.

The new vending machine provides more than 100 boxes of NARCAN®, with each box containing two doses of naloxone, the medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. The machine is available outside the fire station and is restocked regularly.

"Every NARCAN® vending machine we put in Minneapolis is another opportunity to save a life," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "The fourth machine means more people can access this lifesaving medication quickly, for free, and without barriers when they need it most. We're proud to keep expanding access to NARCAN® and to make sure Minneapolis is doing everything it can to prevent overdose deaths and support those affected by the opioid crisis."

Expanding access to harm reduction
Minneapolis installed its first NARCAN® vending machine in summer 2024 as part of the City's efforts to reduce barriers to overdose prevention and expand access to harm reduction resources. Since then, the City's vending machines have dispensed nearly 15,000 doses of NARCAN®, expanding access to a medication that can save a person's life during an opioid overdose.

"Confronting the opioid epidemic and the devastating reality of fentanyl poisoning requires us to meet people where they are with compassion and practical tools that save lives," said Ward 11 Council Member Jamison Whiting. "Harm reduction is an open door, and every interaction is an opportunity to connect folks to health care and ongoing support services across our city. Every person in our community is someone's loved one, and saving a life today means holding space for their recovery and future tomorrow."

The vending machines are free to community members with no questions asked. They are located outside Minneapolis fire stations to provide full-time, anonymous access in communities experiencing high rates of substance use and overdose. Fire stations were selected because they are trusted, centrally located community hubs with 24-hour public access.

"Everyone deserves access to life-saving care, and by providing free NARCAN®, local government is stepping up to support residents in their most vulnerable moments and centering their humanity," s aid Ward 12 Council Member Aurin Chowdhury. "This growth of resources is the progress we need to see while we work together to build a comprehensive plan to address the opioid epidemic head-on."

Connecting Community to Resources
The vending machines are one part of the City's broader approach to connecting people with overdose prevention, health care and other services. The City's Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) , which launched with opioid settlement funding, also provides NARCAN® and other health and safety resources through street outreach and community events. During its first year , the MMU and its partners distributed 1,484 doses of NARCAN®.

"Expanding access to health care resources, including medications like NARCAN®, is an essential part of our work as a department, and in this case, a key strategy for preventing overdose deaths," said Interim Commissioner Heidi Ritchie, Minneapolis Health Department. "By placing vending machines in trusted, accessible locations, we can make sure people get this life-saving medication at any hour, without having to navigate a healthcare system or explain why they need it. This is about eliminating barriers and making overdose prevention resources available to the people and communities who need them most."

The City is seeing results from expanding resources as opioid-related deaths declined 33% from 2023 to 2025. The cumulative efforts of harm reduction tools, like NARCAN ® vending machines, Safe Stations and establishing a connected system of care linking emergency medicine, community outreach, mobile services, clinics, and recovery supports, have contributed to these declining numbers.

"Firefighters are committed to saving lives, and that commitment goes beyond fighting fires," said Fire Chief Reginald Freeman, Minneapolis Fire Department. "Housing the NARCAN® vending machines at our stations provides easy access for someone to help save a life, giving a person struggling with addiction the chance at recovery. We are proud to partner with the Health Department and support our community."

Minneapolis NARCAN vending machines

With the addition of Fire Station 12, Minneapolis now has four vending machines located at:

Watch our video and learn how to use a NARCAN vending machine

Additional resources