The Catawba Valley Healthcare in Valdese is set to introduce a groundbreaking Narcan vending machine, the first of its kind in Burke County. Located at 205 Morgan St. SE, the machine will offer free Narcan along with essential toiletries, operating 24/7 for community members' convenience. 

The Catawba Valley Healthcare in Valdese will soon introduce a Narcan vending machine, the first of its kind in Burke County.

A program that offers low-level offenders an opportunity to avoid jail time will likely cease at the end of this month. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a voluntary prebooking program that diverts individuals who commit a first low-level drug offense to community-based services and treatment, rather than going to jail.