# Vending machine Naloxone Distribution for Your community (VENDY):  Increasing reach and implementation of naloxone distribution

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2023 · $147,325

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
There has been more than a 30% increase in opioid overdose deaths in the last year. Bystander access to
naloxone medication effectively reverses opioid overdose deaths with limited adverse events. However, current
naloxone distribution strategies are missing individuals at high risk of opioid overdose. Vending machines are
an innovative strategy shown to increase reach of harm reduction services in Europe. Young adults who
witnessed or experienced an opioid overdose expressed a desire for naloxone vending machines but identified
features of the built environment (including safety and location) as perceived factors contributing to use. There
is widespread interest in naloxone vending machines in the U.S. Yet, implementation challenges have slowed
down or limited adoption including navigating stakeholder approvals and identifying appropriate locations for
placement. The aim of this proposal is to study a community-initiated, stakeholder engaged adaptation of
naloxone distribution, VEnding machine Naloxone Distribution for Your community (VENDY), to increase the
reach of naloxone in underserved populations at-risk of opioid overdose. Study Aims include:
 Aim 1: To refine the VENDY program in 3 underserved communities (2 urban and 1 rural) using an
 iterative user centered design (UCD) implementation strategy and stakeholder engagement to increase
 reach, implementation, and sustainability. We will use iterative usability and message testing to refine the
 program with community members who misuse opioids. We will conduct surveys and qualitative interviews
 with stakeholder to refine the UCD implementation strategy for future use.
 Aim 2: Conduct a 6 month pilot assessment of the VENDY program in 2 urban and 1 rural community.
 The pilot includes a midcourse adaptation and evaluation of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation
 and maintenance (RE-AIM) outcomes.
 Aim 3: Identify factors in the social and built environment contributing to reach and implementation of the
 VENDY program using photovoice qualitative evaluations with organization implementers and community
 members currently using opioids. Photovoice evaluations will occur in potential locations in Aim 1 to inform
 VENDY placement and in the VENDY location in Aim 2 to inform stakeholder adaptations.
Community-based approaches such as VENDY are particularly important to reach opioid users not currently
engaged with health systems. To accomplish these aims, Dr. Wagner will pursue training in 1) user centered
design, an innovative implementation strategy, 2) conduct of pragmatic trials in diverse settings, and 3)
assessment of the built and social environment and its effect on reach and implementation. This mentored
research project and career development plan are designed to prepare Dr. Wagner to become a leader in the
adaptation of effective interventions addressing substance use to better reach underserved populations and to
produce sustainable implementatio...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10664040
- **Project number:** 5K01DA056698-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicole Marie Wagner
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $147,325
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-07-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10664040

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10664040, Vending machine Naloxone Distribution for Your community (VENDY):  Increasing reach and implementation of naloxone distribution (5K01DA056698-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10664040. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*