This 3-minute audio segment profiles a harm reduction vending machine in North Adams, Massachusetts.
This 3-minute audio segment profiles a harm reduction vending machine in North Adams, Massachusetts.
Episode 4 – Leveraging technology: Expanding Veteran access to harm reduction resources through vending machines
In this paper we describe efforts funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant to design and implement naloxone vending machines that provide free naloxone within 6 county jails in Michigan to returning citizens and those visiting county jail facilities.
A general overview with links to additional information about harm reduction vending machines and funding opportunities
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developed this brief to share considerations for health departments implementing harm reduction vending machines.
This is a resource for public health agencies, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups to develop knowledge about readiness for the implementation of a vending machine to distribute harm reduction supplies. Vending machines for this purpose are like snack or drink machines, but are stocked with items such as naloxone, educational materials, safer use supplies, and hygiene kits. Machines can be equipped with sign-in technology that tracks its use by program participants or the public. Agencies considering a harm reduction vending machine program will benefit from reviewing this tool with staff, community stakeholders, partners, and program participants. This tool will help agencies understand where their community sits on the continuum of readiness for vending machine implementation and identify next steps to strengthen their capacity to initiate a harm reduction vending machine program.
Before setting up a naloxone vending machines, there are many questions that a program should consider. The content on this webpage is adapted from the webinar “Learn about Naloxone Vending Machines!” with content from Thea Oliphant-Wells of Public Health-Seattle & King County and Joseph Hunter of the North Central Accountable Communities of Health. We received additional input from Paul LaKosky at the Dave Purchase Project in Tacoma.
Given the rapidity with which communities are standing up harm reduction vending machines (HRVM), there is a pressing need for a consolidated examination of implementation evidence. This scoping review summarizes existing literature using multiple implementation science frameworks.
HRVM implementation best practices include maximizing accessibility up to 24 h, 7 days a week, offering syringe disposal options, ensuring capability of data collection, and allowing for anonymity of use. Organizations that implement HRVM should establish strong feedback loops between them, their program participants, and the broader community upfront.