Council approves harm-reduction dispensing display for City Hall vestibule

The Saint Francis Common Council voted on Feb. 17 to move forward with a harm-reduction dispensing display in the City Hall vestibule, after a presentation from Jackie Ovi, public health administrator for the South Milwaukee–Saint Francis Health Department.

Ovi said the proposed display would be a table and dispenser located in the vestibule near the police department and would contain naloxone, fentanyl-test kits, condoms, medication-disposal bags and gun locks. She told the council the state and county no longer have funds to buy a vending machine and that "when we did get that grant, it was $55,000 to actually put a vending machine out to buy the materials that go into it." Ovi said the display option is a lower-cost, anonymous way for residents to obtain materials and that staff will monitor and maintain supplies.

Council discussion addressed liability and appearance. One council member said a vending machine would be preferable to avoid materials sitting on a table, while others said the $50,000 cost of a machine would not meaningfully increase privacy if items are free and that a properly presented display could meet the city's needs. A motion was made to "place a letter on file and take the appropriate action to get this display into the festival in City Hall," and the council approved the motion by voice vote.

Ovi said the kits include instructions and QR codes linking to the South Shore Cares website, and the police department has offered to supply gun locks for the display. The health department said it has received about a dozen resident requests to explore vending or dispensing options.