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Thirty vending machines carrying naloxone, the overdose reversal medication, will be set up across Hawaii, with six in prisons and jails, according to a release from the Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center.

The machines will be set up in Honolulu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii counties to combat the rise of opioid use that has caused over 300 overdose deaths in the state, the center said.

The HHHRC, prisons, jails, federally qualified health care centers, homeless centers and respite centers will host the machines, which will dispense the medication at no cost.

In 2022, 68% of more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Making naloxone available through vending machines can reach those who may require immediate access, including those released from jail or prison,” the release said. “Those released from incarceration are at significantly higher risk for accidental and fatal overdose.”

Numerous American cities are using vending machines to dispense naloxone, including Las Vegas, San Diego, New York City, and D.C., according to the coalition.

HHHRC Executive Director Heather Lusk, a state legislator and a representative of the Department of Health will discuss the initiative at the HHHRC Office at 11 a.m. Tuesday.