Wicomico Co. Health Dept. places 5 harm reduction vending machines in the community

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md.- The Wicomico County Health Depart is meeting those struggling with opioid addiction halfway, with the five new vending machines the department put up around the county.

Jessica Sexauer with the Health Department said for some, this is where their recovery journey begins.

“It’s here to provide resources for anyone in the community, for any reasons they might need it,” said Sexauer.

Right now, the machines only have Narcan in them, but in the future, Sexauer said they hope to add more vital resources, like Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips.

“Narcan might be something that someone has available to them because they’re an opioid user, and they want to have it on hand, so they don’t die and continue to live their life,” said Sexauer.

The machine is easy to use. All you have to do is click on the screen, select what you want and put your zip code in.

But Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said this initiative won’t curb the crisis but instead enable it.

“Addiction is horrible, I recognize it’s horrible; I don’t think these vending machines are the answer,” said Sheriff Lewis.

While the Narcan can be lifesaving, Sheriff Lewis said easy access to it through the vending machine may encourage drug use, and he believes there are better ways to combat the crisis.

“It’s just part of that progressive, Liberal mindset and I’m not supporting this,” said Sheriff Lewis. “I’ll support anything to reduce the opioid abuse that we see throughout, but this does nothing but encourage, in my opinion, and enable addicts.”

But with the county experiencing 29 overdoses between 2024 and 2025, Sexauer said now is the time to implement tangible solutions.

“Don’t be shy to take any of the resources out, just to have them on hand. They’re here for anyone in the community, whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, family, or friend,” said Sexauer.