HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County residents can now access free naloxone and other harm-reduction supplies around the clock through two new vending machines installed by the Howard County Health Department.
The machines provide anonymous, 24/7 access to two-dose naloxone kits, more commonly known as Narcan, along with fentanyl, xylazine, barbiturate and medetomidine test strips, condoms and QR codes linking users to naloxone training and treatment resources.
Health officials said the machines are intended to reduce barriers to overdose prevention by making life-saving supplies more readily available.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, Howard County recorded 13 opioid-related deaths between June 2025 and May 2026. During the same period, personnel from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services administered naloxone to 163 people.
The vending machines are located at:
"This vending machine investment will help lower the barriers of stigma, cost, and access to these essential resources," Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said in a statement. "We want to provide people with a safe place to get naloxone, test strips, and other safe choice materials, while also providing information on how to get help when they are ready."
The project was funded through the Howard County Opioid Restitution Fund. While all supplies are free, users are asked to provide basic demographic information for internal data collection before receiving items.
More information on opioid prevention, treatment and recovery resources is available through the Howard County Health Department.
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