GALESBURG, Illinois — The Quad City Area's fight against the drug epidemic is turning into a one-stop-shop to save lives.
Galesburg is one of the latest cities to receive two Narcan vending machines.
The nasal spray, used to reverse opioid overdoses, can be found at the Knox County Sheriff's Office and Knox County Housing Authority for free.
"One of the awesome things about it, there's anonymity about it," Bridgeway Health Services System of Care Coordinator Jeff McFadden said. "One of the main things we've seen, was we need to get it into the hands of not only first responders, but community members who can give aid to people."
Machines also include Plan B, benzodiazepine and xylazine test stripes.
"We've seen more of the fentanyl test stripes being used," McFadden said.
Knox County Sheriff Jack Harlan said meth has been running rampant in the community.
"It's every age group," Harlan said. "We've arrested a gentleman who's in his late 50s all the way to people 18 years old."
According to Harlan, the price for an ounce used to cost about $500, but now it's roughly $250.
"It is easy to move across the trains, it is easy to move onto the buses," Harlan said.
News 8 obtained the following stats of the Knox County area.
As of early October, drug arrests, excluding cannabis charges, are up in Galesburg. There was a 16.5% increase from last year.
Galesburg's 911 calls for drug overdoses are down from the past two years.
The vending machines were donated to the county. Bridgeway also hands out Narcan for free.
It's important to note, experts said Narcan is not effective on xylazine.
Near News 8's viewing area, research shows Peoria and Cedar Rapids are the closest areas with the resource.