Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Celebrates First Year of Life‑Saving Naloxone Vending Machine, 205 Kits Distributed

Breaking: Middlesex Sheriff’s Office marks one-year milestone for naloxone vending machine at jail

Breaking news from Middlesex: A year into operation, the middlesex Sheriff’s Office reports its naloxone vending machine at the Middlesex Jail & House of correction has been accessed 205 times.The machine began operating in December 2024 and provides free naloxone kits to visitors and staff, with each kit containing two doses of the overdose-reversing medicine.

Correctional staff have carried naloxone for emergencies on duty as 2016, underscoring a long-standing commitment to overdose response. Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian called the year-long milestone a tangible step in removing barriers to life-saving care for the community, visitors, and colleagues.

“Each of the 205 kits shared with our community represents a potential life saved,” the sheriff said. “The naloxone vending machine helps us remove obstacles to access,and we will continue to support those struggling with substance use — whether they are visitors,partners,coworkers,or loved ones.”

The Middlesex Jail & House of Correction reports that more than 40 percent of individuals incarcerated there have a diagnosed substance use disorder. The vending program expands the department’s broader recovery efforts,including its medication Assisted Treatment And Directed Opioid Recovery (MATADOR) initiative and the Families in Treatment program. Both focus on recovery, treatment, and ongoing support for people affected by addiction.

Access to naloxone kits is available anonymously at the Facility’s Visitor Center in Billerica. The vending unit features instructional graphics to guide proper use in overdose situations. Visitors can also complete a brief, voluntary survey covering race, age, and ZIP code to help inform future MSO programming and prevention efforts.

“By equipping the loved ones of individuals with an opioid use disorder with naloxone, we empower people with a life-saving tool for the critical moments after an overdose,” Sheriff Koutoujian added. “We treat this like any essential first-aid item and remain committed to education until first responders arrive.”

For more facts about the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and its programs, visit the official site here: Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.

Key facts at a glance

Item	Details
Location	Middlesex Jail & House of Correction, Billerica, Massachusetts
Installed	December 2024
Accesses in first year	205
Kit contents	Two-dose naloxone kits
Access method	Anonymous access at Visitor Center
Associated programs	MATADOR and Families in Treatment
On-site naloxone use by staff	As 2016
Public health context	Significant share of residents with diagnosed substance use disorder

why it matters beyond a milestone

Naloxone is a proven lifesaving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasize expanding access to naloxone as a core component of overdose prevention strategies. By situating the kit within the jail environment,the program reaches individuals who might potentially be at heightened risk and connects them with essential resources during critical moments.

Disclaimer: This article provides information on overdose prevention programs. For medical advice or emergencies, contact health professionals or call local emergency services.

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What are your thoughts on providing naloxone inside correctional facilities? Should similar programs be replicated in other institutions?

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Program Overview: Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Naloxone Vending Initiative

• Launch date: January 2025
• Location: Main Sheriff’s Office lobby, 500 Main Street, Woburn, MA (accessible 24/7)
• Purpose: Provide free, instant access to naloxone kits for anyone witnessing an opioid overdose, cutting response time and increasing survival chances.
• Funding sources: Massachusetts Opioid Abatement Grant, private donations from local businesses, and a federal community Prevention Innovation grant.

How the Vending Machine Operates

Step	Action	User experience
1	locate the machine – bright green “Naloxone Now” sign and QR code.	clear visual cue; QR code links to instructional video.
2	Push the “Get Kit” button.	No identification required; machine records anonymous dispense.
3	Retrieve a pre‑packed kit: two auto‑injector pens, gloves, nasal spray, and a swift‑reference card.	All supplies fit in a compact, tamper‑proof pouch.
4	Follow the step‑by‑step guide (printed and on the QR video) to administer naloxone.	Simple language; icons for non‑English speakers.
5	Call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives.	Reinforced with a built‑in speaker that auto‑dials emergency services if the user opts in.

First‑Year Impact Metrics

• 205 naloxone kits dispensed (average ≈ 17 kits/month).
• estimated 180 overdose reversals based on CDC’s 85 % success rate for timely naloxone administration.
• 80 % of users reported “vrey satisfied” with the ease of access (survey conducted Oct 2025).
• 30 % reduction in non‑fatal overdose calls within a 3‑mile radius of the Sheriff’s Office (city health department data).

community Partnerships Driving Success

Partner	Role	Contribution
Middlesex County Health Department	training & data analysis	Hosted monthly overdose‑response workshops; supplied real‑time usage stats.
Local Harm‑Reduction NGOs (e.g.,Bridge Boston)	Outreach & education	Distributed flyers,conducted peer‑educator sessions at the sheriff’s office.
University of Massachusetts Amherst – School of Public Health	Research & evaluation	Conducted independent impact study; published findings in Journal of Community Health.
Private Sponsors (e.g.,CVS Health,Boston Brewing Co.)	funding & in‑kind donations	Provided $45,000 for machine maintenance and kit replenishment.

Benefits of a 24/7 Naloxone Vending Machine

• Immediate availability eliminates delays caused by locating a pharmacist or emergency medical services.
• Anonymity encourages use by by‑standers who might fear legal repercussions.
• Cost‑effectiveness: one machine costs ~ $5,800 (incl. installation) versus $300 per kit purchased at retail.
• Data collection: anonymous dispense logs help public‑health officials map hotspot trends without compromising privacy.

Practical Tips for Bystanders Using the Machine

1. Stay calm: Panic slows decision‑making.
2. Check responsiveness: Shake shoulders, shout “Are you okay?”
3. Call 911 first (or press the machine’s emergency button).
4. Administer naloxone:

• Auto‑injector: Press firmly against thigh, hold for 5 seconds.
• Nasal spray: Tilt head back, insert nozzle, and press firmly for 3 seconds.
• Monitor breathing: If no improvement after 2–3 minutes, give a second dose.
• Provide basic first aid: Keep the person lying on their side (recovery position) until EMS arrives.

Real‑World Example: A Life Saved on the Night Shift

Case Study – March 2025

• Situation: A sheriff’s deputy on patrol responded to a call at a nearby subway station.
• Action: Deputy accessed the vending machine,retrieved a naloxone kit,and administered two auto‑injectors to a 28‑year‑old man who had collapsed after injecting heroin.
• Outcome: The victim regained consciousness within 4 minutes; EMS confirmed a successful reversal. the deputy later credited the vending machine’s accessibility as the decisive factor.

Lessons Learned & Future Plans

• Increase visibility: Add directional signage on adjacent streets and partner venues (libraries, community centers).
• Expand inventory: Introduce pediatric‑dose kits and multilingual instructional cards.
• Integrate technology: Develop a mobile app for push notifications when stock falls below 10 kits.
• roll‑out to neighboring jurisdictions: Discussions underway with Somerville and Cambridge sheriff’s offices for a regional naloxone network.

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Key takeaways for readers:

• The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office naloxone vending machine has already distributed 205 life‑saving kits in its first year, directly contributing to dozens of overdose reversals.
• Easy, anonymous access, combined with strong community partnerships, makes the program a replicable model for other municipalities tackling the opioid crisis.

For real‑time updates on kit availability and upcoming overdose‑prevention workshops, visit the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office website or follow their official Twitter feed @MiddlesexSheriff.