TOWER—An innovation in public health is coming this Friday, Oct. 6, to the Bois Forte Reservation. That’s when the Bois Forte will become the first tribe in Minnesota, and possibly the nation, to install, stock, and open public health vending machines for use by the public at Fortune Bay and the Nett Lake C Store.
“It will be a historic day for us that shows we want to do our part to provide a very important service to those struggling with addiction,” said Bois Forte Tribal Chair Cathy Chavers. “However, the vending machines will carry many other useful products to help out our band members.”
The public health vending machines which are being provided and funded by a HRSA grant awarded to the University of Minnesota-Duluth College of Pharmacy, Dr. Laura Polombi, and Johns Hopkins University, will carry lifesaving products such as the overdose reversal medication Naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan, that can help with a fentanyl overdose. There will also be HIV self-test kits, Fentanyl test strips, Xylazine test strips, Rapid COVID tests, face masks, feminine hygiene products, pregnancy tests strips, first aid items, plus flashlights, snacks, and other items.
“We are hoping to make a positive change in an individual’s life and potentially save their lives,” said Pam Hughes, who is the Project Research Manager for the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy.
“Our hope is to incorporate community-driven public health strategies, which offers an opportunity to reach individuals who aren’t accessing healthcare services and offer them Naloxone to reverse an overdose and help connect them to other services.”
Hughes said bringing the vending machines to the Bois Forte Reservation was a collaborative effort amongst the Johns Hopkins University Center for Indigenous Health, UMD-College of Pharmacy, Bois Forte Tribal Council and the Bois Forte Community Research Council.
“I believe that we are the first tribal nation in the United States to have a public health vending machine,” said Hughes, a Bois Forte band member. “Dr. Sean Allen (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health), had been involved in a similar project and mentioned the machines at one of our SCIBAR (Support for Creative Integrated Basic and Applied Research) meetings.”
Despite some fears by the public, Dr. Allen said there is no evidence that offering easy access to such supplies encourages drug use or leads to increased crime. He said that they have existed for several decades outside of Minnesota and the United States and there is compelling evidence that they improve public health.
“In Clark County, Nevada, for example, dispensing the overdose reversal medication Naloxone at vending machines was associated with substantial reductions in overdose fatalities,” said Allen. “Implementing public health vending machines enhances access to resources that promote public health.”
Hughes added that this project has been in the works for two years and said she is very grateful that the group can see their vision come to life.
“As Joel A. Barker said, ‘Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world,’” said Hughes of Barker, who is a well-known futurist, author and filmmaker.
Hughes will be responsible for overseeing the vending machine at Fortune Bay, while Toni Wakemup will oversee the vending machine at the C Store in Nett Lake. Both Hughes and Wakemup will receive a message on their phones when a certain product is running low.
Hughes said that Wakemup will step in for her and vice versa in case one of them is not readily available to replenish products in the vending machines.
“The notifications will give us time to restock before an item is out,” said Hughes. “There is no charge for the items and there is no limit.” Even so, Hughes said she wants to remind individuals to only take what they need and to not deplete the products in the vending machines.
“There are others that will need the supplies,” said Hughes. “We just ask that people be mindful of that fact.”