Free overdose reversal kits are now available in a distribution kiosk outside the emergency department at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in San Pedro. The curbside self-serve kiosk offers no-questions-asked access to naloxone kits, which is designed to serve the need for expanding access to lifesaving tools. The kiosk operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is positioned next to the sidewalk in front of the emergency department, providing anonymity and eliminating costs that could prevent individuals from accessing the medication.
Naloxone quickly reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain. Narcan is the most widely recognized brand name for naloxone. According to Dr. Miles Shaw, emergency medicine physician at the facility, “Naloxone is one of the most effective emergency medications we have because it works within moments to restore breathing when someone is experiencing an opioid overdose. When administered quickly, it can save a life before paramedics or hospital teams even arrive.”
The kiosk includes QR codes linking to local mental health and addiction recovery resources, ensuring individuals are connected to ongoing support. Providence St. Joseph in Burbank also has a naloxone kiosk. According to Stefanie Lai, a nurse and manager of emergency services, most hospitals and nonprofit organizations with free naloxone have specific hours and days of the week or keep distribution boxes indoors, creating barriers for access. With naloxone prescription fill rates remaining as low as 1%, the kiosk represents a practical way to ensure medication is available when and where it’s needed most.
From January 1, 2023, to May 18, 2025, the emergency department at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro saw 24 patients for unintentional opioid overdoses. Los Angeles County reported a 1,652% increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths from 2016 to 2022, with 1,970 deaths in 2023. The South Bay region, which includes San Pedro, has been identified as a high-need area due to the growing number of fentanyl-involved overdoses among unsheltered and underserved populations. In December, the emergency department saw five patients for fentanyl overdoses.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.presstelegram.com/2026/02/20/overdose-reversal-kits-available-at-providence-hospital-kiosk-san-pedro/