Tiffany Greenwaldt- Simon reports at HudsonValley360.com that a free vending machine that dispenses overdose-reversal medication, and fentanyl and xylazine test strips began operation in Hudson on Jan. 31, the first of its kind in the Twin Counties. The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene, Medication for Addiction Treatment and Electronic Referrals, and Catholic Charities Care Coordination Services placed the machine at at 713 Union St. in Hudson. Candace Ellis, executive director of Catholic Charities Care Coordination Services, said, “People who use drugs deserve access, they deserve support, and they deserve kindness as we work to negate the risks associated with drug use.... A lot of the drugs that are in the drug supply right now are adulterated with other substances including fentanyl and xylazine. We want to be able to protect our clients and the community." To use the machine, individuals have to enter an authentication code found on the outside of the machine, their birth year, and their ZIP code. The items are free and up to three items can be dispensed at a time. In Columbia County last year 51 people overdosed with 37 hospitalizations and eight deaths. In Greene County, there were 81 overdoses in 2023. Full disclosure: The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene produces the youth program "Clubhouse Radio" on WGXC. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.