Issue 46 December 09

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Page 11 of 14

Vending Machine Trial

The importance of access to sterile injecting equipment cannot be overstated in the fight against the spread of hepatitis C. For injecting drug users who are at risk of contracting HCV, being able to get clean syringes at any time of the day or night, on any day of the week, is vital.

The Clean Needle Program, co-ordinated at a number of sites by Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA), provides this vital service. The provision of sterile injecting equipment, waste and sharps disposal facilities, information, education and referrals to other services are central to preventing the spread of blood-borne viruses.

A new program at several CNP sites began on Monday, 30 November. Syringe vending machines are being trialled in South Australia, and can be found in three places as part of a 12-month trial. For a cost of $2, the machines dispense a Fitpack, which contains eight 1mL syringes and 20 alcohol swabs.

vending-machine

The machines are located at:

• Anglicare SA Salisbury (9 Mary St, Salisbury),
• Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge), and
• Southern Primary Health Noarlunga Village (Alexander Kelly Dr, Noarlunga).

Vending machines will allow for more people to obtain sterile injecting equipment at these locations, at any time of the day or night. They have a choice between talking to the staff at the CNP site, or else using the machine with complete anonymity. Each machine also has a sharps disposal bin right next to it, to promote the safe disposal of used injecting equipment.

It’s important to note that the vending machines will be an addition to, rather than a replacement for, the existing CNP services. Research has suggested that these machines increase access for hidden and marginalised populations who might not otherwise avail themselves of CNP services; this includes street youths, sex workers, homeless people and rural people. A Queensland trial of the machines found that they were most likely to be used by younger people, and by a greater proportion of women than those seen by the usual CNP services.

For further information regarding the vending machine trials or any other CNP related matters please contact the CNP Manager on 8274 3382. For any enquiries about drug- and alcohol-related information please call the Alcohol & Drug Information Service on 1300 13 1340. Counselling and information is available 24 hours a day.


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