Coconino County is hoping to use an old technology to provide emergency medical assistance to residents who need it but don't want to ask for it.

Called “harm reduction vending machines,” the county installed the machines at the health department this week with the help of a grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services.

“People can come in and get harm reduction supplies for free,” Candace Koenker is prevention program manager for the county health department, she said.

Vending machines sell products such as fentanyl testing kits, xylazine testing strips, Narcan, gun locks, prenatal vitamins and safer-sex kits.

“We decided to buy vending machines so that people can receive the items without having to interact with anyone. They can receive the items at a time that suits them. They can receive the items without any prejudice or bias. And they can receive the items for free,” she said.

A similar machine has been installed in Page's clinic, and a local hospital plans to install one outside its emergency department.