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Our Healthbox: an innovation in Ottawa's Carlington Community Health

Our Healthbox
Media Release
May 26, 2025
Andrew Russell

In the ever-changing seasons of life, our communities often encounter challenges and transitions.

Sometimes, what was once considered a reliable resource becomes outdated, battered, and in need of revitalization. Such was the story of Carlington Community Health Centre's harm reduction dispensing unit, which had served as a lifeline for our community for several years, having served 3000+ individuals over three years.

However, as it aged and faced a host of issues, it became clear that a fresh, innovative approach was needed to replace this conventional dispensing unit.

In a remarkable shift from the old to the new, the Our Healthbox has ushered in a new season of hope for the community and Ottawa as a whole. This state-of-the-art harm reduction dispensing system has set out to address the issues that plagued its predecessor, promising a brighter and more user-friendly future. Unlike its predecessor, Our Healthbox doesn't rely on coins or tokens that were often trapped or lost in the machine's mechanisms. This simple shift is a game-changer, ensuring that individuals can access the resources they need without the frustration of dispensing failures.

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Our Healthbox integrates cutting-edge technology, eliminating the issues often associated with regular vending machines.

It provides a friendly, anonymous, and efficient inventory and supply management system. This not only ensures that general health and harm reduction supplies are readily available but also offers real-time insights into the needs of the community. It also offers a directory of services in the community and the surrounding areas, connecting individuals with essential resources. Additionally, it provides health education materials, including naloxone training videos, to empower the community with knowledge and potentially save lives.