Opioid settlement funds support free naloxone, hygiene items and harm-reduction supplies in Allentown and Slatington
LEHIGH COUNTY, PA, UNITED STATES, March 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol has launched two 24/7 public health kiosks in Allentown and Slatington to reduce barriers to accessing naloxone (Narcan), hygiene items and other life-saving harm-reduction supplies. The machines are fully funded through opioid settlement dollars with no taxpayer dollars used to support the project.
“These machines are about removing barriers,” said Joe Martellucci, Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Administrator. “Any tools we can implement to make overdose prevention supplies easier to access means fewer overdose deaths in Lehigh County.”
While overdose prevention supplies and services may be easier to locate in urban areas, rural communities often have fewer options. The Slatington kiosk helps close that gap by making critical supplies available locally, around the clock.
In both Allentown and Slatington, the devices also provide access to wound-care kits, hygiene items and other basic public health supplies. For low-income residents, traveling to purchase these items may not always be an option. The outdoor machines operate 24 hours a day and allow individuals to obtain supplies anonymously, reducing stigma and increasing the likelihood that life-saving tools are used when needed.
Each kiosk features a touchscreen listing available items, and all supplies are dispensed free of charge. Narcan and certain overdose-prevention supplies are available without limits, while some items, such as seasonal clothing accessories, require a QR code sent via text and are limited to one set per month. Other items have monthly limits to ensure broad community access. Minimal, anonymous data may be collected to help assess community needs and improve inventory over time, but users are not required to answer extensive questions to receive supplies.
Often referred to as medical vending machines, the interactive units have onboard Wi-Fi and are continuously monitored by manufacturer, Test and Go. Inventory levels and maintenance needs are tracked in real time, allowing for restocking whenever items run low.
“All the evidence tells us that making these supplies accessible saves lives,” said Molly Stanton, Assistant Administrator for Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol. “This is not about encouraging behavior. It’s about preventing fatal overdoses and connecting people to information and resources without judgment.”
While the kiosks themselves do not provide treatment services, they include overdose prevention supplies, items to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and information on how to access treatment and support.
Lehigh County Public Health Kiosk Locations
• Slatington: D&L Trailhead Pavilion, 89 Main Street, Slatington, Pa. 18080 | Live as of Feb. 4, 2026
• Allentown: Treatment Trends, Inc., 24 South 5th Street, Allentown, Pa. 18101 | Live as of Feb. 19, 2026
• Access: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
County officials note it is too early to report usage data. Inventory selections were informed by interviews with individuals in recovery and professionals working in substance use treatment programs. As usage trends emerge, contents may be adjusted to best meet community needs.
“This is a practical, data-driven step to protect our residents,” said Michelle Ellison, Opioid Settlement Program Manager. “If we can prevent even one overdose death, this effort is worth it.”
For a comprehensive list of resources for individuals seeking help, including treatment options and recovery support services, visit RiseAboveOpiods.org.
About Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol
Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol is the county’s central agency for planning, funding, and coordinating behavioral-health services related to substance use and recovery. The department works closely with treatment providers, healthcare systems, schools, law enforcement, and community partners to deliver prevention programming, screenings and assessments, outpatient and inpatient treatment referrals, case management, and recovery supports. Recent investments, guided by community need and supported in part by opioid settlement funds, have expanded local treatment capacity and harm-reduction services, including Narcan distribution and community education initiatives. Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol is committed to reducing barriers to care, promoting evidence-based practices, and supporting people and families on the path to sustained recovery. To learn more about county services and local resources, visit RiseAboveOpioids.org or contact Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol.
About Treatment Trends Inc.
Treatment Trends, Inc. (TTI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing treatment for substance use disorders since 1969. The organization’s mission is to lessen the suffering caused by addiction by offering passionate treatment services through a continuum of care. TTI’s vision is to help individuals achieve long-term recovery, enabling them to live full, healthy, and happy lives. The organization operates programs and centers in Lehigh and Northampton counties, offering a range of services including inpatient and outpatient treatment, MAT support, and recovery support services.
Molly Stanton
Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol
+1 (484) 656-5891
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