A new Healthbox has been set up outside the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit on Oak Street.
Along with harm reduction tools, including naloxone kits, the interactive vending machine includes sharps containers, safe sex and wellness supplies, HIV self-test kits, and more.
“We are proud to be champions of Our North Bay Healthbox,” says Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Medical Officer of Health. “By offering easier access to free harm reduction supplies, self-testing kits, and personal care items, we hope to meet people where they are at and support them in their journey toward better health and well-being.”
The health unit has teamed up with REACH Nexus for the initiative.
Officials say Healthbox is a vital resource during after-hour gaps in service and is also designed to help reduce stigma, empowering individuals to make safer choices.
“North Bay has not had an around-the-clock needle syringe program since 2017, which has made it harder for people to get harm reduction supplies when they need them,” says Stuart Nichols, Peer Outreach Support Team Lead at True Self Debwewendizwin. “Our North Bay Healthbox fills this gap in services and responds to the voices of people with lived experience.”
The service will also provide items like gloves, handwarmers and foil blankets in the winter and rain ponchos and water bottles in the warmer seasons.
Health information, public health messaging, drug alerts and a directory to to North Bay and area services will also be available to those who use the Healthbox.
