Texas Musician Installs Narcan Vending Machines To Save Lives

In Dallas' vibrant Deep Ellum neighborhood, an innovative initiative aimed at saving lives has recently taken root. Local musician and activist Anthony Delabano spearheaded a project to install vending machines that dispense free Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse opioid overdoses. These machines, located at the Deep Ellum Community Center, are part of a broader effort to provide access to life-saving resources and education in the fight against fentanyl’s deadly effects.

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"I'm an individual trying to prove something to the world," Delabano shared. "You get on Craigslist, spend 100 bucks, get two machines, and call your friends to help with the art. And they did."

With just a few repurposed machines and a determined vision, Delabano’s project made Narcan readily available, alongside a QR code offering vital information on how to administer the drug during an overdose.

Saving Lives with Fast Action

Delabano, who also serves as COO of Conscience Conduit.org and leads a nonprofit providing free mental health support to creatives, highlighted the importance of acting quickly during an opioid crisis.

"Narcan, when used within the first five minutes, is 80% effective in reversing an opioid overdose," he explained, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention.

For Delabano, this cause is deeply personal. Now 11 years sober, he has faced his own struggles with addiction and lost friends to both addiction and suicide. “I wanted to help these people,” he said. “These are MY people.”

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The Need for Narcan Access

Though some critics argue that making Narcan more accessible might encourage drug use, Delabano firmly refuted that claim, pointing to studies showing that it increases the likelihood of individuals seeking help.

"I tell them to do their research," he said. "It does not encourage use; it gives someone a chance to survive."

Delabano’s effort in Deep Ellum is part of a growing movement across the country. Similar projects are underway in other cities, including Austin, where Narcan vending machines are restocked every other day due to high demand. Advocates like Peter Pursley, who lost his older brother to fentanyl poisoning, continue to champion the importance of accessibility.

"The mistakes that most people make once in their life are now costing kids their lives," said Pursley, who partnered with Delabano through his organization, Livegy. “I’m tired of seeing mothers talk about their children who are no longer here.”

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A Community Rally for Awareness

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The vending machine initiative officially launched during a community gathering at the Deep Ellum Community Center, where Narcan training was provided to attendees. The event aimed to equip more people with the knowledge and tools to save lives in an emergency.

"You can't fight addiction when you're dead," Delabano said. "There were many times I could have, should have died. I finally got help. That’s the moment we’re waiting for."