Indiana’s first-ever naloxone vending machine has been installed at the St. Joseph County Jail.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can reverse an overdose from opioids and is given when a person is showing signs of opioid overdose to block the effects of the overdose.

The vending machine is programmed to dispense free naloxone kits.

Each kit includes a single dose of naloxone, instructions for use, and a referral to treatment for substance use disorder.

The machine holds up to 300 naloxone kits and is free to access. The machine is one of 19 to be placed statewide and will be available for use by the public.

Indiana reported a more-than 30-percent increase in fatal overdoses during the 12-month period beginning in April 2020 and ending this past April, according to provisional data released, last month, by the CDC.