City of Soledad & Monterey County Health Department to Unveil New Naloxone & Fentanyl Test Strip Kiosk on December 8

Soledad, CA – The community and local media are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Soledad’s first Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strip Kiosk, providing free, 24/7 access to lifesaving overdose-prevention tools.

The kiosk is part of a broader countywide effort by the County of Monterey Health Department to expand access to naloxone (Narcan)—a safe and effective medication that can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes—and fentanyl test strips, which help individuals identify fentanyl-contaminated substances. Each kiosk is stocked with approximately 250 doses of naloxone and 250 sets of fentanyl test strips, and includes step-by-step instructions in both English and Spanish to ensure anyone can take action during an emergency.

The City of Soledad partnered with the Health Department to launch the first kiosk in South Monterey County as part of its efforts to combat opioid-related deaths and raise awareness about fentanyl’s dangers, particularly among youth. The kiosk will be located next to the Soledad Fire Station—between the old jail and the new Fire Apparatus Bay—in an easily accessible, judgment-free location for community members.

“This expansion reflects our unwavering commitment to saving lives by making overdose prevention tools as easy to access as a bottle of water,” said Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health Services for the County of Monterey Health Department. “By placing Narcan vending machines in transit hubs, colleges, recreation centers, jails, and public safety facilities, we are meeting people where they are and empowering families, students, and community members to act in an emergency.

“Soledad has seen the impact of the opioid crisis firsthand,” said Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez. “Fentanyl has taken far too many young lives, including those in our own community. By partnering with the Monterey County Health Department, we are providing a Narcan kiosk that has the power to save a life. This kiosk represents access, hope, and action because every second matters when someone is in crisis.”

Who: City of Soledad, Monterey County Health Department, Soledad Fire Department, community partners and local residents

What: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Naloxone & Fentanyl Test Strip Kiosk

When: Monday, December 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Where: 525 Monterey St., Soledad, CA 93960

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