Our Story
This project, now called T.O.R.C. (The Opioid Response Coalition), is an effort now between many organizations and artists.
It began in early June when Anthony Delabano and Conscience Conduit united with a mission: to save lives and impact the fight against opioid overdoses in Dallas. Inspired by Em Gray’s work with the N.I.C.E. project in Austin, where Narcan vending machines provided immediate access to life-saving medication, they launched the Free Narcan Vending Machine Project. This initiative aims to replicate Austin’s success in Dallas, ensuring easy access to Naloxone (Narcan).
The journey started with a pivotal training session at Pharr Texas PD’s Mental Health unit, delivering 140 pieces of Narcan to those who wouldn’t have received this resource. This ignited our team’s passion to push forward.
Central to our mission was Jerry Fernandes, who refurbished the vending machines, ensuring they are ready to deliver free Narcan. We also allied with Deborah Morris from Garland City Council & GISD, who emphasized making Naloxone accessible in all the district’s high schools.
As the project gained momentum, artists Ace Cordell, Kaia Beggs, and Tyson Summers designed and created the vending machines. Ace secured placements where they can have the most impact, Kaia infused the project with a vibrant aesthetic, and Tyson brought our vision to life. Their creativity addresses a public health necessity and ensures each machine is unique community art.
We were fortunate to work with Em Gray, our primary consultant, sharing her knowledge from Austin’s successful launches. Her guidance helped navigate challenges and propel our initiative forward. The first showing of our vending machines took place in Pharr, Texas, during an event with the top Mental Health police unit in the state, reinforcing our commitment to reducing overdoses.
Looking ahead, we scheduled a presentation at the Deep Ellum Community Center in September 2024 to highlight our efforts and gather support. We remain committed to training and community engagement around Narcan use and are exploring collaborations with local artists and organizations to enhance the project’s visibility and impact.
Sunday, September 15th 2024 we unveiled our Free Narcan Vending Machines! This exciting event took place at the Deep Ellum Community Center. Our partners including Livegy, APAA, Parkland, and others, participated in vital Narcan training and programming.
We are thrilled to announce that this project has been handed off to our partners at Livegy, who provide Narcan packaging and training throughout Texas. Moving forward, we are grateful for our community’s collaborative spirit. Together, with Anthony, Kaia, Tyson, and the support of Jerry and Deborah, we are determined to save lives and foster resilience.
This is more than a project; it’s a movement fueled by compassion, creativity, and a shared commitment to making a difference.