Two New Naloxone Vending Machines Expand Access in Southwest Washington
VANCOUVER, Wash. - When someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, every second counts. Having naloxone nearby—the medication that can quickly reverse an overdose—can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why SWACH has been working to expand access to naloxone across Southwest Washington, and why we’re excited to share that two new free naloxone vending machines are now available to the community.
The machines are located at:
Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Emergency Room – 2121 NE 139th St., Vancouver, WA 98686 (Emergency Room Entrance on West side of the hospital)
Klickitat County Jail – 205 S. Columbus Ave., Goldendale, WA 98620 (lobby area)
These sites were chosen with intention, based on community feedback, data, and the reality of who is most at risk of overdose.
Meeting People Where They Are
“When looking for additional locations in Southwest Washington to host naloxone vending machines, we prioritized rural areas and increasing access to people who use drugs and people most likely to experience or witness an overdose,” explained Ashley Gaffney, Community Health Improvement Director at SWACH.
One of those priority populations includes people leaving incarceration. Research shows that recently incarcerated individuals are far more likely to die from an opioid overdose than their peers. In Washington, former inmates may be up to 129 times more likely to die from overdose in the weeks after release.
“The Klickitat County Jail was identified as a location where we could get naloxone into the hands of people who need it the most as they reenter the community,” Gaffney said.
Expanding 24/7 Access
While Vancouver already had machines in place, a recent Ripple Effects Mapping report—produced by Clark County Public Health in partnership with SWACH—highlighted a challenge: too few machines were open after hours or outside the city core.
“As a result, we sought to host a vending machine at Legacy Salmon Creek’s Emergency Room,” Gaffney said. “It gives community members a low-barrier, 24/7 option and expands availability to a part of the county that was underserved.”
Life-Saving Tools, Close to Home
Naloxone vending machines aren’t just about the kits themselves. They can also be stocked with fentanyl test strips, educational resources, and connections to local recovery and treatment services. For many people, the machines are a first step toward safety and connection.
“The implementation of two additional naloxone vending machines in our region allows us to continue our efforts to combat the opioid crisis and increase access to life-saving resources,” said Sashila Mistiuk, Community Health Improvement Program Manager at SWACH.
She emphasized the importance of putting the machines in the right places. “These machines are strategically placed in locations that serve the most vulnerable populations. Having naloxone available in these spaces could be life-saving, especially as individuals leave incarceration and return to the community.”
Community Empowerment
Mistiuk sees this project as bigger than machines. “This project allows us to empower individuals, healthcare providers, and community organizations to respond to opioid overdose in a timely manner and save lives,” she said.
By placing naloxone in the hands of more people—whether they are family members, friends, providers, or neighbors—our region becomes more prepared to respond. It’s a simple, evidence-based strategy with immediate impact.
Looking Ahead
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are now the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States. In Southwest Washington, the crisis touches every community—urban, rural, young, old. Expanding access to naloxone is one of the most effective ways we can prevent unnecessary deaths and keep families whole.
SWACH will continue working with partners to expand harm reduction resources, listen to community feedback, and make sure the right tools are available where they are needed most.
For more information about naloxone and harm reduction resources in Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties, visit our page dedicated to our growing network of vending machines.