New Health & Wellness Vending Machine Now Available in Pat Walker Health Center

Pat Walker Health Center is excited to announce the addition of a new health and wellness Med Kwik vending machine in the health center's southeast entrance on the corner of Maple and Garland Avenue. On Tuesday, April 15, student leaders, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and representatives from Med Kwik took a photo beside the newly installed vending machine.  

The vending machine dispenses NARCAN, an over-the-counter opioid reversal nasal spray medication and fentanyl harm prevention kits for free to the U of A community. The machine is also stocked with over-the-counter health products and personal care essentials, providing students with quick and convenient access to wellness items anytime they need them. The machine is accessible 24/7 and allows the campus community to access fentanyl harm prevention kits and NARCAN in a private setting, while still being centrally located on campus.

To access the NARCAN or fentanyl harm prevention kits, students must put in their zip code and complete a voucher in the bin attached to the machine. The kits include a fentanyl testing strip, a pair of gloves, a resource card and a pill disposal bag. NARCAN kits are also available throughout the U of A campus, located in each building in accordance with Act 811 of 2023. 

As a department within the Division of Student Affairs, Pat Walker Health Center is committed to supporting student wellbeing and student success. "This new resource reflects our ongoing efforts to make health and wellness products more accessible and to empower students to take charge of their wellbeing," said Dr. Huda Sharaf, medical director for Pat Walker Health Center.  

The installation of the Med Kwik vending machine is part of Griffin's One Pill Can Kill initiative that the U of A joined efforts with beginning Oct. 29, 2024. Funding for the machine and the training provided to over 300 students this past fall was made possible through opioid abatement funds from the State of Arkansas. The initiative is a public awareness campaign aiming to help educate, support and empower Arkansans with information on the dangers of fentanyl, how to identify it and what to do if a student or friend is overdosing.  

As part of the Pat Walker Health Center and Division of Student Affairs long-term commitment to substance education and recovery resources, the Substance Education, Assessment and Recovery (SEAR) program at Pat Walker Health Center offers individual and group interventions for students with concerns related to alcohol, cannabis and other substances. In addition, the Razorback® Recovery Community (RRC) provides a supportive environment for students in recovery.  

More information about the substance education and prevention efforts at Pat Walker Health Center and NARCAN resources can be found at health.uark.edu and on @uarkhealth on Instagram and Facebook.

About Pat Walker Health Center: Established through a $3 million gift towards construction from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, the University of Arkansas' Pat Walker Health Center supports the entire U of A community by providing high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive health care. We promote the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff through accessible, effective services that support their personal, academic and professional growth. Pat Walker Health Center is a department of the Division of Student Affairs. Learn more at health.uark.edu. 

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, sense of community, and success. We prioritize student access, well-being, and belonging, post-graduation success, and building a strong organizational culture.