And then there are those that can potentially save a life.

Earlier this month, Weber Human Services installed six vending machines at sites across Ogden that dispense Naloxone, best known by its brand name Narcan, free of charge.

David Sekulich, coalition coordinator with Weber Human Services, told the Standard-Examiner that this move has been years in the making.

“About four or five years ago, I started working on this project and was met with a little apprehension at that time,” he said. “I was contacted about a year ago with some funding through a grant and I was asked if I wanted to try and oversee this project again. … I started meeting with different community partners and basically tried to base the locations not only on geography but also being able to meet different populations of people.”

The vending machines have been operative for two weeks now and were placed at the Weber County Sheriff’s Office, Ogden City Police Department, USARA’s Ogden location, Midtown Community Health Center, the Lantern House and Weber Human Services.

According to Sekulich, the machines are open to the public for use. Each machine has a simple code to utilize it — 1234. No personal information is needed, though people utilizing the machine will be asked a couple of nonpersonal questions to help with keeping the machine stocked and tracking usage.

Sekulich said that this is a first for the state.

“Nationwide, there’s quite a few vending machine projects going, but this is the first that has happened here in Utah,” he said.

He said the machines can help tackle Weber County’s growing issues with opioid overdose.

“If we look at the data, Weber County is third in overdose deaths in Utah,” he said. “In the midst of the opioid epidemic and the fentanyl crisis, I think it’s imperative we are able to get as much of this life-saving medication to the community as we can.”

Sekulich said that it’s important to remember that opioid overdose impacts more than some people think.

“This is a huge step for Weber County and Utah,” he said. “We need to not only look at the populations that are using drugs illegally, but people that are prescribed opioids are also at risk. It’s really important that families, loved ones and anybody that’s around people that — whether it’s illegally or prescribed — they need to have access to this medication. It saves lives. It’s not just people with substance use problems that are at risk for overdose.”