CHINATOWN, Hawaii (KHON2) -- Narcan vending machines have been in use in Hawaii since last fall and there is a push to install more in the Downtown/Chinatown corridor.
Some argue that putting the emergency overdose treatment in public spaces is asking for trouble while others say it is important for public health.
The free boxes of Narcan in vending machines around the state carry two doses of Naloxone, the medication to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose. The Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center said it is important, even for those who do not abuse drugs.
"It's very important that if you're using opioids, make sure other people are around, whether it's family members or friends, even if it's prescription opioids, to have this on hand in case you become unresponsive," HHHRC Grants & Advancement manager Nikos Leverenz said.
HHHRC has a map that shows the locations of 33 vending machines statewide. 714 doses were distributed from Oahu's machines alone since 2023 and some community leaders are pushing for funding to install more machines in Chinatown.
"And throughout Chinatown, there's a need in Waikiki. There's quite a need all around the island. This is something that's needed to help public health," Honolulu City Council District 6 Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam said.
The Downtown/Chinatown neighborhood board chair pointed out that certain spots in Chinatown are already known for attracting illegal drug use and putting doses of something that temporarily stops a fentanyl overdose could invite trouble.
"Are we enabling people to say, 'Hey, we've got these machines that gives us free ways, free passes to do all the drugs we want,' and that's not something we should be encouraging," Ernest Carvalho said. "At what point do we say enough is enough and we need to stop enabling the bad behavior?"
HHHRC officials said they do not want a machine on every street corner, Dos Santos-Tam agreed.
"At that point, you probably wouldn't want to make it free because then people would just keep pressing the button. But the reality is, is we want to make it accessible in the same way that we make, you know, first aid kits and first aid products available," Dos Santos-Tam said.
The machines cost $8,000 each and HHHRC officials said they are paid for with Department of Health Grant funding. The boxes of Narcan would cost about $40 at a drugstore, KHON2 is waiting to hear back from DOH officials about plans to expand the use of the machines in Chinatown.