Brookline public health proposes 24/7 "Be Well" kiosks at Coolidge Corner, Brookline Village libraries

The Town of Brookline's public health department on Jan. 13 presented a pilot to install two 24/7 "Be Well" vending kiosks at Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village libraries that would dispense naloxone (including fentanyl naloxone), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, Deterra drug-disposal bags, sharps containers, antigen tests, sexual-health and hygiene supplies and seasonal items for people experiencing homelessness.

The presentation, given as part of Project CAN (Citizens Accessing Naloxone), described kiosks supplied by vendor Test and Go as multilingual (materials in up to 21 languages), ADA-compliant, weatherproof and privacy-focused. The proposal said the pilot is funded by a $25,000 RISE municipal matching grant (state opioid-abatement programming) and $25,000 from Brookline's opioid-abatement funds. "This pilot project is funded, both by a $25,000 RISE municipal matching grant ... and $25,000 from Brookline's opioid abatement funds," the presenter said.

Why it matters: supporters told the Select Board the kiosks could reduce barriers to life-saving supplies and meet people where they are. Charlie Homer, chair of the Advisory Council on Public Health, urged the board to approve the plan, saying the kiosks would provide anonymous, no-cost access and called libraries "exactly where these resources should be located."

How the kiosks would work and who pays: the Test and Go kiosks present images and descriptions on a touchscreen, drop selected items from a dispenser, and include optional survey questions to gather anonymous usage data for program evaluation. Staff said they will be able to collect basic utilization metrics to understand which products are used and when. The proposal said purchasing the pilot is funded with the grant match described above; staff estimated an approximate annual operating cost of about $30,000 if the town chose to continue after the pilot year and noted leasing is the recommended start to shift maintenance responsibility to the vendor.

Board questions and operational concerns: Select Board members pressed staff on geographic equity, replenishment, measurement and liability. One board member said placing both machines in North Brookline might send a message that South Brookline is not being served; the presenter noted existing naloxone "sandboxes" and distribution points across town and agreed staff would reassess potential placement, including Putterham Library, and bring feedback back to the team. On replenishment, staff said they expected regular vendor routes but did not have a defined schedule and committed to obtaining that information. On liability, staff said their recollection is that Good Samaritan laws cover provision of harm-reduction supplies but that town counsel will be asked to confirm.

Youth access and age restrictions: the kiosks can be configured to request date of birth as an access barrier for certain products. The presenter said the program aims to limit barriers while recognizing some materials may raise concerns for parents or caregivers; staff said other towns generally had not broadly age-restricted similar items and recommended further local discussion.

Evaluation plans: staff described a mixed approach: optional on-screen questions, focus groups, online surveys and coordination with CHIP working groups and a regional epidemiologist to determine key metrics, while acknowledging it may be difficult to isolate long-term public-health impacts because the town already distributes naloxone and conducts other prevention work.

Next steps: staff asked for feedback and said the item will return to the board on Jan. 27 for further consideration; there was no vote tonight.

"These stations will provide 24/7 access to critical health resources," the presenter said, adding the kiosks could free staff to focus on education and outreach. The board directed staff to refine placement, replenishment plans and legal review and return with detailed operational recommendations.