photo by: Lawrence Transit

The naloxone vending machine at Lawrence Transit's Central Station, 2315 Bob Billings Parkway.

A vending machine containing naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses, has been installed at the central bus hub in Lawrence, along with other safety features, Lawrence Transit announced Tuesday.

The naloxone nasal spray, commonly referred to by the brand name Narcan, is available in a machine on the south side of Central Station, 2315 Bob Billings Parkway. To access the free naloxone in this machine, people simply need to enter their ZIP code on the key pad.

“This naloxone vending machine is a significant step forward in combating opioid-related fatalities in our community,” Bob Tryanski, director of Behavioral Health Projects for Douglas County, said in the news release. “By providing immediate access to naloxone, we empower Douglas County residents to take an active role in saving lives and promoting public health.”

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Lawrence Transit’s Central Station, 2315 Bob Billings Parkway, is pictured Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.

Other safety measures are in place at the bus hub, which opened in early January, including an automated external defibrillator, which can be used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest; a storm shelter, available for anyone on the property during inclement weather; and a first aid kit for minor injuries.

The naloxone vending machine is the result of a collaboration between The City of Lawrence, Lawrence Transit, Douglas County Government, DCCCA and Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.

“DCCCA is an organization dedicated to providing substance abuse treatment and prevention services,” Chrissy Mayer, DCCCA Chief Community Based Services Officer, said in the release. “We recognize the importance of reducing the harm caused by opioid misuse and are proud to partner with this critical endeavor.”