The syringe in the machine

This paper is a report on focus-group discussions with Western Australian and South Australian injecting drug users and South Australian drug workers, about the feasibility of and issues surrounding the introduction of needle-and-syringe vending machines in Australia. Injecting drug users and workers supported the idea of introducing vending machines in Australia to complement existing services that provide sterile injecting equipment. The participants emphasised that the machines should be provided in addition to existing services. Possible adverse effects of their introduction included concerns for the safety of minors who are not drug users. The potential benefits to public health includes further reducing that proportion of the sharing of injecting equipment that is related to unavailability of sterile equipment (usually at times when other services do not operate).