June 14, 2025 • 11 mins
These days, you can get pretty much anything you want out of a vending machine, but they're also playing an important role in Boston's public health efforts. North End Waterfront Health is using these machines to provide basic necessities and harm-reduction supplies to people who are unhoused, low on cash, or navigating substance use. David Perry, Director of Substance Use Disorder Services, and Nadya Zaltsman, a recovery coach at NEW Health, are on the show this week to talk about the importance of low-barrier, judgment-free options to help people in need.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week we come together right here we
talk about all the topics important to you and the
place where you live. It's good to be back with
you this weekend. I'm Nicole Davis. We can argue about
technology all we want and if it's a good thing
or a bad thing, but I can tell you that
when it comes to vending machines, I am loving where
(00:30):
technology has gone because you can get almost anything out
of one these days. I saw a vending machine that
was essentially an entire CVS at Faniel Hall in Quincy Market. Recently,
there's been all sorts of food vending machines out there.
You can get a basket of hot wings, a freshly
made cheeseburger. The possibilities are endless. But in some cases
(00:51):
the vending machines are actually also being used for good.
We're talking about a group of vending machines that right
now are being used by North End Waterfront Health. They're
out there in the community providing basic necessities like socks
and snacks and hygiene products, harm reduction supplies too, for
anybody who's unhoused or low on cash you're struggling with
substance abuse. North End Waterfront Health says it is a
(01:14):
judgment free, low barrier way for them to get in
the community and help out really no matter what time
of day. So let's learn a bit more about these
machines and all the other work they're doing when it
comes to substance use. David Perry is the director of
Substance Use Disorder Services. Nadia Assaultsman is a recovery coach
at north End Waterfront Health. Thank you both for your
(01:34):
time and for being here, and David, tell us a
bit more about the work you're doing and how it's
contributing to public health in that part of the city.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
What North End Waterfront Health represents is what we call
a federally qualified health center, and part of that is
a commitment to get flexible supports to our community members.
And as we talk about public health vending machines, how
we address public health and how we talk about public
health is it's not just the doctor's appointments, the medical interventions.
(02:05):
It's actually giving access to some of the supplies in
the machine that really do affect a person's health. And
we strongly believe that these items should be free of
charge for our community members who already have demonstrated difficulties
in accessing healthcare.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Nadia, you're a recovery coach over at North End Waterfront Health.
Tell me what you've seen when it comes to substance
abuse in our community.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
So, working at North End Waterfront Health, we have a
really great substance use program. We deal with a lot,
We help a lot of people who have substance use,
but we also see a lot of like the way
our health center is structured is like, you know, you
(02:54):
make an appointment, you come to an appointment. This is
kind of how it goes, and a lot of folks
it's just that's not a structure that really helps them
right now.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
So it's I feel like.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Since introducing the public health vending machine, we've seen a
lot of folks.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Who are able.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Maybe they're they're uncomfortable asking for these resources, maybe they
don't want to, maybe they just want to come on
a random day and not be set to like a
rigid schedule, and they're able to get the resources they need.
And so like overall we're able to catch like we're
(03:38):
able to help like a larger group of people.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Yeah, how have you noticed that the public health of
vending machines have made an impact in the work that
you're doing over there at North End water Front Health.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
What I've noticed the most is like kind of almost
like a bigger sense of community because people are noticing it,
They're telling their neighbors, they're bringing STF up to their
children and their friends, and more people are coming. So
it's really it's kind of like a word of mouthing,
you know, like did you see the new vending machine
over here? Like anyone can use it, here's what it has,
(04:15):
stuff like that. So I see like a bigger sense
of community among our patients.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
So, David, then let's talk a little bit about what
exactly is in this vending machine. Tell me about how
it's all set up and the products in it and
why you all chose to put those in there.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
The products in the vending machine range from specific items
that might help folks with substance use disorders narcan to
ould care kits to first aid kits, and then general
public health items like COVID tests, socks, gloves, hats, seasonal
(04:54):
items that our community may need to veminine hygiene products,
general hygiene products as well. The public health vending machine
program at Northern Waterfront Health was made possible by collaboration
with Boston Public Health Commission. They received a federal grant
to spread some of these machines across the city, and
(05:18):
we were fortunate enough to apply and be chosen as
a site for one of these one of these machines
in collaboration with them. Some of the items that I
listed were were recommended to be put into the machine,
and we were excited to do so. We also received
(05:40):
a lot of feedback from our community members about things
that they might want and might want to have in
the machine, so that that guided our decision making as well.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
All Right, well, Nadia, I think that there's a lot
of stigma around people when it comes to substance use
and abuse for a bunch of reasons, but part of it,
I think is around either hygiene or no wanting to
be seen with a syringe. So I'm sure a vending
machine like this can actually be really helpful and just
trying to keep somebody even getting to those basic health
(06:11):
covering those basic health guidelines. I suppose you could.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Say absolutely absolutely, And it's so it's so difficult to
talk about, like as even asking like your doctor or
even your recovery coach, like hey, I I really need
some deodorant right now, Like it can be such a
like not everyone wants to have that conversation, and with
the vending machine, like you don't have to you know,
(06:36):
no one needs to know. And yeah, so it's it's definitely.
I think with the hygiene products especially or even like
socks and hats like for the wintertime, like the cooling
towel we have like for the summertime, thinking about folks
who like might need those items more often, and like
(06:59):
Dave said, like really listening to our community because they're
the ones that really know well.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Then, while there, of course are these vending machines, you,
Nadia and all the other team over at North End
Waterfront Health are there to help people who want to
take that step out of active addiction and get into recovery.
So tell me about some of the work that you're
doing there and some of the services you have over
at North End Waterfront Health to help.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
So what I do as a recovery coach is I
meet with people one on one to you know, discuss
like what goals do they have for their recovery? Me
and the other recovery coach, Linda. We have peer recovery
support group every Wednesday with some pizza, some speakers maybe,
(07:48):
but it's a it's a group for all of our patients.
And the best part of my job, I think is
I'm able to meet folks in the community, so to
go to coffee shops with them, take walks with them.
Sometimes I visit them in the er even and that's
really kind of like I think the most important part
(08:11):
is like seeing someone a peer mentor out in the
community with you, not just necessarily an office space that's going.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
To be a lot for you to carry at times.
I mean, tell me what it's like to be a
recovery coach, because I have a few friends who actually
work as recovery coaches, and they tell me it's really
it can be very difficult at times, but it's also
very rewarding in itself.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Yeah, you know, I'll say, like, this is my first
job as a recovery coach, and it has been it
has been really difficult at times, And I will say
that like it's all about from all my friends who
are also recovery coaches. It's all about the environment you
work in and from talking more with my friends who
(08:58):
also work in the field, I think I really lucked out.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I'm not just saying that, but I think I.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Really lucked out with my first job as a recovery
coach being here because it's really it's really supportive.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
That is exactly what I want to hear, and I'm
happy to hear that. And you know, David, when it
comes to your efforts overall at North End Waterfront Health
in the substance abuse case or space and the recovery space,
what is it that you might need from the community.
Is there a way that people can help out, Is
there volunteer work you need done?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
It's an interesting question. I think we want to be
part of the community, you know, and be really embedded
in Charlestown, the North End, West End, the overall waterfront,
to be really embedded and listening to our community and
serving the community more so than the community serving us.
We want to invite folks in for all of their
(09:54):
healthcare needs, ranging from vision, dental to such services, mental
health to primary care.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Ways.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
We've collaborated with the community before are through our hygiene
drive and that's been so instrumental in helping stock some
of the items in the machine, so we're super grateful
about that. We received over twenty two hundred items from
some of our community partners, so that's been an excellent
(10:26):
sort of collaboration with our communities. Anyone in our community
can access new Healthcenter dot org. They can reach out
to us directly any of our front desks at our
health center at fifteen Tough Street or three thirty two
Hanover Street in Boston. We try to be out in
the community as much as possible as well. We go
(10:47):
to local AA meetings. We work with the Charlestown Coalition,
so really any and all ways to get involved or
to access our healthcare services, we invite folks.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
In phenomenal well. David Nadia, thank you both so much
for your time and also for your efforts in the
community in doing what you do to make sure people
can be happy and healthy as best as they can.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Absolutely, thank you so much for having us.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Thank you all right, have a safe and healthy weekend.
Please join me again next week for another edition of
the show. I'm Nicole Davis from w BZ News Radio
on iHeartRadio.
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week we come together right here we
talk about all the topics important to you and the
place where you live. It's good to be back with
you this weekend. I'm Nicole Davis. We can argue about
technology all we want and if it's a good thing
or a bad thing, but I can tell you that
when it comes to vending machines, I am loving where
(00:30):
technology has gone because you can get almost anything out
of one these days. I saw a vending machine that
was essentially an entire CVS at Faniel Hall in Quincy Market. Recently,
there's been all sorts of food vending machines out there.
You can get a basket of hot wings, a freshly
made cheeseburger. The possibilities are endless. But in some cases
(00:51):
the vending machines are actually also being used for good.
We're talking about a group of vending machines that right
now are being used by North End Waterfront Health. They're
out there in the community providing basic necessities like socks
and snacks and hygiene products, harm reduction supplies too, for
anybody who's unhoused or low on cash you're struggling with
substance abuse. North End Waterfront Health says it is a
(01:14):
judgment free, low barrier way for them to get in
the community and help out really no matter what time
of day. So let's learn a bit more about these
machines and all the other work they're doing when it
comes to substance use. David Perry is the director of
Substance Use Disorder Services. Nadia Assaultsman is a recovery coach
at north End Waterfront Health. Thank you both for your
(01:34):
time and for being here, and David, tell us a
bit more about the work you're doing and how it's
contributing to public health in that part of the city.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
What North End Waterfront Health represents is what we call
a federally qualified health center, and part of that is
a commitment to get flexible supports to our community members.
And as we talk about public health vending machines, how
we address public health and how we talk about public
health is it's not just the doctor's appointments, the medical interventions.
(02:05):
It's actually giving access to some of the supplies in
the machine that really do affect a person's health. And
we strongly believe that these items should be free of
charge for our community members who already have demonstrated difficulties
in accessing healthcare.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Nadia, you're a recovery coach over at North End Waterfront Health.
Tell me what you've seen when it comes to substance
abuse in our community.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
So, working at North End Waterfront Health, we have a
really great substance use program. We deal with a lot,
We help a lot of people who have substance use,
but we also see a lot of like the way
our health center is structured is like, you know, you
(02:54):
make an appointment, you come to an appointment. This is
kind of how it goes, and a lot of folks
it's just that's not a structure that really helps them
right now.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
So it's I feel like.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Since introducing the public health vending machine, we've seen a
lot of folks.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Who are able.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Maybe they're they're uncomfortable asking for these resources, maybe they
don't want to, maybe they just want to come on
a random day and not be set to like a
rigid schedule, and they're able to get the resources they need.
And so like overall we're able to catch like we're
(03:38):
able to help like a larger group of people.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Yeah, how have you noticed that the public health of
vending machines have made an impact in the work that
you're doing over there at North End water Front Health.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
What I've noticed the most is like kind of almost
like a bigger sense of community because people are noticing it,
They're telling their neighbors, they're bringing STF up to their
children and their friends, and more people are coming. So
it's really it's kind of like a word of mouthing,
you know, like did you see the new vending machine
over here? Like anyone can use it, here's what it has,
(04:15):
stuff like that. So I see like a bigger sense
of community among our patients.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
So, David, then let's talk a little bit about what
exactly is in this vending machine. Tell me about how
it's all set up and the products in it and
why you all chose to put those in there.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
The products in the vending machine range from specific items
that might help folks with substance use disorders narcan to
ould care kits to first aid kits, and then general
public health items like COVID tests, socks, gloves, hats, seasonal
(04:54):
items that our community may need to veminine hygiene products,
general hygiene products as well. The public health vending machine
program at Northern Waterfront Health was made possible by collaboration
with Boston Public Health Commission. They received a federal grant
to spread some of these machines across the city, and
(05:18):
we were fortunate enough to apply and be chosen as
a site for one of these one of these machines
in collaboration with them. Some of the items that I
listed were were recommended to be put into the machine,
and we were excited to do so. We also received
(05:40):
a lot of feedback from our community members about things
that they might want and might want to have in
the machine, so that that guided our decision making as well.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
All Right, well, Nadia, I think that there's a lot
of stigma around people when it comes to substance use
and abuse for a bunch of reasons, but part of it,
I think is around either hygiene or no wanting to
be seen with a syringe. So I'm sure a vending
machine like this can actually be really helpful and just
trying to keep somebody even getting to those basic health
(06:11):
covering those basic health guidelines. I suppose you could.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Say absolutely absolutely, And it's so it's so difficult to
talk about, like as even asking like your doctor or
even your recovery coach, like hey, I I really need
some deodorant right now, Like it can be such a
like not everyone wants to have that conversation, and with
the vending machine, like you don't have to you know,
(06:36):
no one needs to know. And yeah, so it's it's definitely.
I think with the hygiene products especially or even like
socks and hats like for the wintertime, like the cooling
towel we have like for the summertime, thinking about folks
who like might need those items more often, and like
(06:59):
Dave said, like really listening to our community because they're
the ones that really know well.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Then, while there, of course are these vending machines, you,
Nadia and all the other team over at North End
Waterfront Health are there to help people who want to
take that step out of active addiction and get into recovery.
So tell me about some of the work that you're
doing there and some of the services you have over
at North End Waterfront Health to help.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
So what I do as a recovery coach is I
meet with people one on one to you know, discuss
like what goals do they have for their recovery? Me
and the other recovery coach, Linda. We have peer recovery
support group every Wednesday with some pizza, some speakers maybe,
(07:48):
but it's a it's a group for all of our patients.
And the best part of my job, I think is
I'm able to meet folks in the community, so to
go to coffee shops with them, take walks with them.
Sometimes I visit them in the er even and that's
really kind of like I think the most important part
(08:11):
is like seeing someone a peer mentor out in the
community with you, not just necessarily an office space that's going.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
To be a lot for you to carry at times.
I mean, tell me what it's like to be a
recovery coach, because I have a few friends who actually
work as recovery coaches, and they tell me it's really
it can be very difficult at times, but it's also
very rewarding in itself.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Yeah, you know, I'll say, like, this is my first
job as a recovery coach, and it has been it
has been really difficult at times, And I will say
that like it's all about from all my friends who
are also recovery coaches. It's all about the environment you
work in and from talking more with my friends who
(08:58):
also work in the field, I think I really lucked out.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I'm not just saying that, but I think I.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Really lucked out with my first job as a recovery
coach being here because it's really it's really supportive.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
That is exactly what I want to hear, and I'm
happy to hear that. And you know, David, when it
comes to your efforts overall at North End Waterfront Health
in the substance abuse case or space and the recovery space,
what is it that you might need from the community.
Is there a way that people can help out, Is
there volunteer work you need done?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
It's an interesting question. I think we want to be
part of the community, you know, and be really embedded
in Charlestown, the North End, West End, the overall waterfront,
to be really embedded and listening to our community and
serving the community more so than the community serving us.
We want to invite folks in for all of their
(09:54):
healthcare needs, ranging from vision, dental to such services, mental
health to primary care.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Ways.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
We've collaborated with the community before are through our hygiene
drive and that's been so instrumental in helping stock some
of the items in the machine, so we're super grateful
about that. We received over twenty two hundred items from
some of our community partners, so that's been an excellent
(10:26):
sort of collaboration with our communities. Anyone in our community
can access new Healthcenter dot org. They can reach out
to us directly any of our front desks at our
health center at fifteen Tough Street or three thirty two
Hanover Street in Boston. We try to be out in
the community as much as possible as well. We go
(10:47):
to local AA meetings. We work with the Charlestown Coalition,
so really any and all ways to get involved or
to access our healthcare services, we invite folks.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
In phenomenal well. David Nadia, thank you both so much
for your time and also for your efforts in the
community in doing what you do to make sure people
can be happy and healthy as best as they can.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Absolutely, thank you so much for having us.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Thank you all right, have a safe and healthy weekend.
Please join me again next week for another edition of
the show. I'm Nicole Davis from w BZ News Radio
on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.