NARCAN SAVES — Jean Bailey poses next to her free Narcan vending machine. Bailey hopes to spread these machines across Volusia County.
A DeLand woman is on a quest to provide free Narcan to the residents of Volusia County. Narcan is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Jean Bailey has a passion for drug overdose advocacy after her son tragically passed away a year ago.
Bailey purchased manual snack vending machines under her nonprofit Advocating for Others Inc. Because they are manual, no electricity is needed for use. Bailey currently has four vending machines, with one being used at 702 S. Ridgewood Ave in Daytona Beach.
Bailey wanted these machines to sit in areas with high need in the county, so she spoke in front of the Volusia County Council Feb. 6 to seek approval. Bailey thought that because of the County Council’s reaction during public comment — namely that they sounded pleased with the idea — she was good to go.
But, 24 hours after setting up her machine at Dolphin Park in Daytona Beach, the site where her son passed away from an overdose, she was told by the council to take it down since the approval process wasn’t complete. Still, within 24 hours, 10 boxes of Narcan were dispensed from the machine.
Bailey said many of the areas where the machines could do the most good are on properties owned by the county.
“Dolphin Park, bus stations, places like that are where we need to have these,” Bailey said. “I’m sure everyone has someone in their life that does drugs or they know has done them or has even died from doing them.”
Bailey’s son passed away at the age of 38 on Sept. 19, 2023.
“I maintain the machines and restock them myself. I’m retired so I’m able to do that.” Bailey said.
She got a lot of help from community members, she said. For instance, Rick Hulett of Rick’s Small Engine Repair in DeLand modified the manual snack vending machines to fit the boxes of Narcan.
It’s a good idea, Bailey was told. She even received a follow-up phone call from County Council Member Matt Reinhart further reinforcing those sentiments, she said after the February meeting.
“I guess I wasn’t aware of the process,” Bailey said.
For something to get official approval, it must be first placed on the agenda, be discussed by the public and the County Council. Then approved by the Council.
Bailey told The Beacon she dreams of placing these vending machines across Volusia County and beyond. But first, she must go through the process of official approval.
