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Delaware County in Iowa is putting opioid settlement funds to work by offering free naloxone and harm reduction supplies through vending machines. There’s no prescription, no judgment, and no cost. For anyone using opioids and unable to access or afford traditional treatment, free resources like this are a critical first step toward safety and recovery.
The Hawkeye State has long featured a breadth of inpatient and outpatient programs. For many residents in Iowa, these low-cost resources provide care without breaking the bank. Free naloxone goes one step farther by saving lives from fatal overdoses.
Delaware County Acts Now
In late March, officials in the Delaware County Opioid Committee proudly debuted two Opioid Awareness & Harm Reduction Vending Machines. One sits at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester and another at the Hopkinton Community Center.
The machines are stocked primarily with naloxone, the nasal spray widely known by the brand name Narcan, that can reverse an opioid overdose. Both machines operate around the clock, meaning anyone in a moment of crisis can access potentially lifesaving medicine without navigating office hours, paperwork or stigma.
“We all may know somebody that has an opioid addiction,” noted Krystle DeShaw, Delaware County Public Health administrator. Her agency has offered a path toward keeping those loved ones safe “in a non-judgmental, free way with 24 hour access.”
Accessing These Free Resources
Anyone needing naloxone can walk up to these machines and take what they need at no charge and no paperwork. Delaware County Chief Deputy Jill Knipper noted that this format offers more anonymity than traditional service points. “You don’t have to walk into a building. You don’t have to see people.” Instead, you can just get what you need, any time, with no judgment.
This model is especially important for those who may be uninsured, underinsured, or simply not yet ready to enter a formal rehab program. Harm reduction tools like naloxone meet people where they are and keep them safe until they’re ready to seek more help when they’re ready.
Beyond naloxone, the machines also provide 24/7 access to wound care supplies to reduce infection, condoms, sharps containers for safe needle disposal, gun locks, and basic dental hygiene items like toothbrushes and toothpaste.
These supplies reflect a broader philosophy of harm reduction of helping people stay safer and healthier even before they’re ready or able to access formal rehab centers.
How & Why Free Naloxone Saves Lives
Delaware County has received more than $171,000 from settlements with opioid manufacturers. Of those funds, $11,000+ went directly into this program. These settlement funds are paid out by pharmaceutical companies found liable for fueling the opioid crisis and are now directed back into local communities to support exactly this kind of accessible care.
The impact of expanding free naloxone access is showing up in statewide data. CDC data show 1,913 people died of opioid overdoses in Iowa between November 2024-October 2025. It’s a startling number, but nearly 40% fewer than previous years. The CDC credits the drop to more hands-on involvement, from immersive inpatient care to growing access to naloxone.
Finding Free Rehabs and Resources
Programs like Delaware County’s are proof that low-cost and free resources can save lives, even outside the walls of traditional rehab centers. But free vending machines with naloxone are just one piece of the puzzle.
If you or someone you love needs help with opioid addiction and have to make every penny count, consider calling
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or looking up any location in our directory to find low-cost treatment options nationwide.
