New Initiative Aims to Increase Access to Vital Health Resources

 Pasco County, Fla. —The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) announces its new harm reduction vending machine program. The initiative, which was made possible through collaboration with BayCare Behavioral Health and the Alliance for Healthy Communities (AHC), provides harm reduction tools, such as Narcan, HIV self-testing kits and other essentials, to support healthier outcomes for Pasco County residents.

Although harm reduction vending machines have been in use across the country, this is the first time they will be implemented in Pasco County.

“Data from similar machines in other regions that distribute naloxone indicates a 15% reduction in overdose deaths within those communities,” said DOH-Pasco Administrator Trang Chitakone. “We are optimistic that these machines can achieve the same results in our community.”

In all, four vending machines are planned at different locations throughout the county. Each machine dispenses products free of charge and can be accessed anonymously. The first location recently opened at the All Ways Center in New Port Richey and is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Future locations will include the Pasco County Jail as well as Life Church Community Center in Wesley Chapel and BayCare Behavioral Health in Dade City. The latter two machines will be located outside, providing 24/7 access to potentially life-saving supplies.

“Alliance for Healthy Communities pinpointed these machines at a national conference and brought the idea back to Pasco County,” states AHC’s ASAP Coalition Coordinator Missy Coyle. “Partnership is at the heart of what we do at AHC and by partnering with DOH-Pasco and BayCare, we’re making a greater impact, working side by side to reduce overdoses, support families and build healthier communities.”

“The implementation of harm reduction vending machines is part of our continued effort to make it easier for people to get the help they need when they need it,” said BayCare Manager of Behavioral Health Services Sonya Bufe. “We know that seamless access to care is vitally important when supporting those with substance use disorders. These machines can save lives, and we’re proud to be part of this meaningful project.” 

For more information about Pasco County’s harm reduction vending machines, call 727-619-0300 or visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, visit FloridaHealth.gov.

About BayCare Behavioral Health

BayCare is the largest provider of behavioral health services in West Central Florida, including in the Tampa Bay region, with programs that include inpatient services, residential programs, detox, rehabilitation and outpatient services. With more than 64,500 patients served in 2024, BayCare operates 20 practice locations, 5 community health centers for the uninsured and underinsured, a residential addiction program and a residential child and adolescent program. In 2022, BayCare launched a physician residency program in psychiatry, and opened the state’s first behavioral health urgent care center in Pasco County in early 2025. In recognition of BayCare’s commitment to serving the needs of the Tampa Bay area, the state of Florida has designated BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa as behavioral health teaching hospital.

About the Alliance for Healthy Communities

Alliance for Healthy Communities is a Pasco County–based nonprofit dedicated to preventing youth addiction and fostering a healthier community through education, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration. AHC convenes community partners across all 12 sectors of the prevention coalition model and leads innovative initiatives such as the Pasco ASAP Coalition, STAND Youth Coalition, SAFE Suicide Prevention Coalition, and are located inside the All Ways Center, the first ever Prevention and Recovery Resource Center, which is shared by The Hope Shot, Pasco’s RCO. Visit our website: www.empoweredcommunities.org