New free health and safety machine in Isla Vista aims to save lives

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – Wednesday marked progress in combating the growing opioid epidemic.

The Isla Vista Community Services District introduced a 24-hour health and safety kiosk at the Embarcadero Del Mar Community Center.

The vending machine is stocked with life-saving supplies like Narcan and test strips for fentanyl and xylazine.

The regional director of Aegis Treatment Center says there are an increasing number of young people struggling with opioid addiction.

“We want to make sure we educate this younger community. We make sure they get treatment as quickly as possible because the sooner you seek treatment when you are addicted, the better the outcome,” said Rachel McDuffee, regional director of Aegis Treatment Center.

Data from the Santa Barbara County coroner shows that 130 overdose deaths in 2023 were related to opioids.

Last year, fentanyl killed a UC Santa Barbara student at a Deltopia party.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps spoke with his parents.

“You’re haunted by this ‘what if’ question. What if Narcan had been at that party? What if they hadn’t gone to the party? What if these resources were available? “So you never know what we can prevent with something as simple as a material vending machine,” Capps said.

The vending machine provides a way to discreetly access these products.

“You don’t have to tell anyone you’re coming. It’s safe. You can easily access what you need without having to provide any personal information,” said Myah Mashadi Ali Reza, program director for the Isla Vista Community District.

The vending machine also facilitates safer sex practices.

“So we have STI testing and HIV testing. We have safe needles. We also have contraceptives, both Plan B and condoms,” said Reza.

QR codes can help connect people to more resources.

“If you need a connection to counseling support, if you just need someone to talk to, I know they will add additional resource information to this machine with some QR codes that people can access,” said Jackie Kurta, UCSB’s director of drug and alcohol prevention.

The next wellness vending machine will be available in the next few months at the Pardall Center in the heart of Isla Vista.