Free Naloxone Vending Machines Open in Howard County Maryland

A new harm reduction effort in Maryland is putting a lifesaving overdose reversal medication within reach around the clock, and for people who survive an opioid overdose it can be a first step toward opioid detox and ongoing care.

The Howard County Health Department, in Maryland, installed two Naloxone and Safe Choice Vending Machines that offer free, anonymous access 24 hours a day.

Located in Columbia and Jessup, the machines are stocked with two-dose naloxone kits, condoms, test strips for fentanyl, xylazine, barbiturates and medetomidine, and QR codes that link to naloxone training and treatment resources.

How the Machines Work

The items are free. A person enters their age, gender, and ZIP code to receive them, with no staff interaction required.

The county chose the outdoor locations using its Substance Use Dashboard and Overdose Risk Map along with community feedback. One machine sits at the Grassroots Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey, 10390 Guilford Road in Jessup.

Why Naloxone Matters

Naloxone, often known by the brand name Narcan, rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by restoring breathing. It works on heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids, and it has no effect on someone who has no opioids in their system.

Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said access to naloxone leads to measurable drops in overdose deaths and lowers the barriers of stigma, cost, and access.

County Executive Calvin Ball framed the machines as another step to prevent overdose deaths. From June 2025 through May 2026 there were 13 opioid-related deaths in the county, and local fire and rescue crews gave naloxone to 163 people.

From Overdose Reversal to Opioid Detox

Naloxone is emergency rescue, not treatment. It buys time. After an overdose, medically supervised opioid detox and medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone address the underlying dependence.

Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, but it is intense and often drives a return to use, which is why medical supervision and MAT improve the odds of a safe start.

Finding Medical Detox

Never attempt to detox from alcohol or benzodiazepines without medical supervision, because those carry seizure and other life-threatening risks. Opioid detox is safest when it is medically supervised and paired with MAT.

To find medically supervised detox programs in Maryland, search detox.com’s directory of detox centers or call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) to speak with a treatment advisor.