Vending machines typically offer an easy and convenient approach to snacking and grabbing a quick energy boost, making foods and beverages accessible at the quick touch of a button.
In a similar approach to making health and harm reduction items more readily available to the community, the Logan County District Board of Health members learned at their Wednesday, Jan. 8, meeting about an innovative program and new piece of technology that dispenses these types of items for the community, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Just several weeks ago on Dec. 11, a vending machine was installed outside of the front entrance to the Logan County Health District, 310 S. Main St. It offers more than a dozen different items — including COVID tests, emergency Narcan, first aid kits, pregnancy tests and personal hygiene kits — and unlike the typical snack-dispensing vending machines, all of the items are free.
The vending machine is currently up and running and available to the community, and a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new piece of equipment is planned for Jan. 29.
Megan Bailey, director of community outreach, said she had the idea for the health-related vending machine after hearing about a similar project through a webinar. She and fellow LCHD officials were able to acquire grant funding and donations to cover the entire cost of the project, including assistance received through COVID grant funds.
“We’re so excited to unveil the vending machine to the community and for people to have this easy access to so many health and harm reduction items, at any hour of the day,” she said.
“Many of the items in the vending machine were things we made available to the community inside our office, but this makes it even more convenient for them to stop by anytime and to receive just what they need.”
Bailey demonstrated the machine, noting that for two of the items — emergency Narcan and COVID tests — codes are available to enter into the vending machine to quickly dispense these items. For emergency Narcan, patrons are advised to first dial 911 and then access the Narcan.
For all other items in the vending machines, patrons should scan the QR code on the machine and they’ll be directed to a link with a short survey and then they will receive an access code to enter into the machine for their item or items.
Other products available in the vending machine include: fentanyl tests, period kits, Sharps container, safe sex kits, safe smoke supplies, test before you drink kit, injection supplies and medication disposal.
Also at the meeting, members voted on officers to lead the board for 2025. Dr. Grant Varian was re-elected board president and Chris Watkins was re-elected vice president.
Health Commissioner Travis Irvan noted that Dr. Varian is up for re-election for a new term on the board when the Logan County Health District Advisory Council meets in March.
During the nursing report, Director of Nursing Lee Watts said she and her staff will be assisting the Kenton-Hardin Health Department with vaccine clinics once or twice a month for a temporary period, while the KHHD works through staffing/budgetary issues.
“They’re in a tough spot right now,” Irvan noted, stating that other area health departments are providing assistance to the KHHD as well.
Watts said the demand locally at the LCHD for seasonal vaccines has waned recently, so her staff are available to offer this type of off-site clinic.
In addition, Irvan said health district employees also are stepping up to help staff the local warming shelter, offered on evenings when temperatures dip below 20 degrees, at the Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave. The Recovery Zone is spearheading this effort for the winter of 2024-25.
Intake for the warming shelter is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the youth center entrance, door 9.
Also during the community health report, Bailey offered updates on NaloxBox placements throughout the county, noting that 10 of the emergency Narcan boxes have been installed in recent months, and there is continued community interest from other entities about obtaining the boxes for their place of business or organization.
In addition, LCHD staff recently provided Narcan training to approximately 150 staff members at Indian Lake Schools, and also offered “Behind the Bar” Narcan training to staff at the Fraternal Order of Eagle’s of Bellefontaine, Axe Ventura, The Syndicate and Brewfontaine.
In other action, the board:
• approved the finalized 2025 budget, with Director of Business Operations Christina Bramlage noting it is the same budget approved by the county budget commission, with no changes;
• ordered Suzanne Gillespie, 7890 Rose Path, Russells Point, with a private well casing that is damaged and broken off at ground level, leaving the casing open to contaminants, to correct the violation by sealing the well within five days; and
• approved well variance requests for Kay and Jeff Dorner of Wapakoneta for their property at 10793 Seminole Shore Drive, Huntsville; Dennis Steinke of Piqua for his property at 7755 Park Drive, Russells Point; and Tammy Mansfield for her property at 7594 County Road 91, Lewistown.
The next meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12.