Hardware

Narcan machines planned for Oklahoma turnpike rest stops

Image: Adobe Stock.

September 4, 2023

Image provided by Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Motorists will have access to free naloxone and fentaynyl test strips at vending machines at seven of Oklahoma's busiest turnpike travel centers under a partnership between the state's department of mental health and substance abuse services and the turnpike authority, according to a press release.

In addition to offering the machines at public locations on turnpikes, OTA also recently added Narcan and fentanyl test strips to the first aid kit of more than 350 agency maintenance and construction vehicles due to the potential for workers to possibly be exposed to these substances when working crash sites.

The department will place 40 vending machines in zip code locations where overdose prevalence is high, making this the largest scale initiative in the U.S.

Two machines will be located at the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike service plaza in Vinita with the intent to offer these materials as a resource to travelers at additional locations by the end of this year on turnpikes in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma.

A full list of machines can be found on the okimready.org website.