Narcan, gun lock vending machine unveiled as leaders work to break down stigmas

BERNALILLO — Sandoval County has a Narcan and gun lock vending machine in the county Health Commons building.

County leadership, Sandoval County Fire and Rescue, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Presbyterian and the local Women in Leadership group unveiled the machine Sept. 5.

“We are very excited today to be celebrating this event and this moment where we get to show our partnership. Sandoval County prides itself on really being engaged and active in prioritizing public safety,” Deputy County Manager Eric Masterson said.

The county was also represented by commissioners Mike Meek, Katherine Bruch and Josh Jones.

“This allows two very important life safety features to be provided to the community, one being Narcan, which is the one thing that we can use in our battle against the fentanyl and opioid crisis, and the other is the safety of guns by securing them with a locking mechanism,” Meek said.

Stacy Burleson, executive director of Metropolitan Area Women in Leadership, explained the machine’s function.

“What it allows is a free, life-saving medication that anybody can come and get Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 if they need it,” she said.

She added that there are no questions asked, that people just press the button on the machine and it drops down. She said the goal is to get similar vending machines all over the state.

Burleson added later that an overdose can happen to anyone and the objective of the machine is to prevent that from happening.

The vending machine is helpful to local emergency services as well.

“Acknowledging a problem is the first step towards meaningful change. Today, we come together, not just to recognizing the growing need (to address) substance use in our community, but to take action. One of the most pivotal components of our harm reduction efforts is leadership. Because of the leadership, we have successfully been able to implement a harm reduction program that can help save lives,” SCFR Capt. Shannon Farrell said.

Presbyterian Substance Use Prevention Specialist Davina Nez said there are 14 Narcan access points and 43 Narcan-trained specialists in Sandoval County.

She said there is a lot of stigma with drug rehabilitation and barriers in the community with asking for help. One of the ways they combat that is providing education and awareness on what harm reduction is, according to Nez.

“Then also being able to be culturally competent in having that cultural humility where you tighten everything together because there’s still a lot of stigma. A lot of times, people are saying, ‘We’re just enabling people who are using substances,’” she said.

She added that the vending machines are beneficial to the rural and native communities, saying that more education and awareness plus the wherewithal to translate can make all the difference.

“Like our tribal languages — there’s no word for Narcan, so there are a lot of times we’re describing it and telling them, ‘This is important,’ and then ‘This can save lives’ as well,” she said.

Breaking the stigma is also recognizing individuals who have become addicted to drugs from chronic illness or surgery treatments, Nez added.

For Farrell, the vending machine fits nicely into the programs provided in the county, including HELP (harm reduction, education, and liaison to substance use disorder programs).

Bruch and Farrell also talked about needle drop-off locations that are available for drug users, recovering patients and diabetics alike.

“I think they are being well-used. Now, there’s a lot of needle use in our communities, and folks are really looking for a place to dispose of that, so it’s serving dual purposes. It’s not only about folks who are habitual users, but we want to bridge that gap and help people understand that substance abuse and mental health are diseases as much as any other physical disease,” Bruch said.

There are several drop-off locations in the county, including Cuba and Jemez, according to Farrell.

The Health Commons building is located next to Sandoval County Administration in Building B on Idalia Road.