Australian Needle Vending

Machines

Andy HartVendafit Pty Ltd

2005 UK

National Conference on

Injecting Drug Use

Vending MachinesProvide access to sterile injecting equipment for those IDU who will not access existing services i.e. Hidden Users.

Maximise the proper disposal of used equipment through the provision of a Disposafit bin

NSW has over one hundred NVM’sACT has four.Queensland has four.WA one machine.

Australian States and Territories

WA

SA

NTQLD

NSW

VIC

TAS

ACT

SA, NT,VIC, and Tasmania none, Yet!

.

Old Machine

Holds 54 Fitpacks®

New Vendafit Pty Ltd Needle Vending Machine

Holds 100 Fitpacks®

The Fitpack®

The FITPACK® is a plastic sharps container that has a storage compartment for clean needles, and has a separate area with a non –returnable flap for disposing of used needles.

Location for installing a Vending Machine is very important! Wherever possible, Vending

Machine’s will be located where clients are not directly observed by passers-by when using the Vending Machine.

A sharps disposal bin must be placed next to each Vending Machine.

Vending Machine’s require power.

Cost to End user

Usually set the same price as the local chemists.

Southern Area Health, General Manager and Senior Nurse Manager turn on first Vendafit machine at Queanbeyan District Hospital.

Needle Dispensersi.e. Free to end user.

For inside use Outside use

New Vendafit Machines in Canberra ACT

Prior to installation of a Vending Machine, it is

vital to consult and educate the local community to ;

Address their concerns Minimise any potential

controversy Explain the rationale of Harm

Minimisation.

Cost for the Vending machines

Can be None!

Vendafit makes its Profit from the charge per Fitpack.

Vendafit has many different pricing structures, and can adjust the price according to your needs.

Examples:

In the ACT, we charge $2, and we receive a subsidy per Fitpack and an annual lease fee from the local Health Department.

In another area our charge is $4 and have arranged a subsidised price for the Fitpack.

In yet another, we will be charging $5 and Vendafit will supply the Fitpacks. i.e. No charge to the Area Health.

Vendafit process of approval; Sign agreement with Vendafit Pty Ltd Find a building that meets the requirements. Consult with the staff of the building and their

union. Inform the Local member of Parliament and the

local Council. Inform the Local Commander of Police. Final approval to be given by CEO or General

Manager of the Area Health Service.

This Vending machine is owned and operated by

VENDAFIT PTY LTDHospital staff cannot open the machine

or refund any money. If you have any problems with this machine call:

0420 ********

WARNINGThis machine is alarmed and

monitored

Stickers can be used on Fitpacks® for a trial period .

Local Police Commander needed convincing!

Police Commander admits“No increase in Crime”

Success at end of Three month Trial.

Local Paper Editorial Gives Support

Statistics from Hawkesbury Vending Machine:

Month(1998 –1999)

Vending Machine

1mls only

HawkesburyCommunity Health Centre

1mls only

September 280

October 255

November 270

December 785 260

January 975 200

February 1310 305

March 1360 455

Latest Statistics from Hawkesbury Vending Machine

Month(04-05)

Vending Machine

1mls only

HawkesburyCommunity Health Centre

1mls only

October 1415 920

November 1410 1000

December 1545 535

January 1425 926

February 1225 1315

March 1335 847

April 1275

Month(1999-2000)

Vending Machine

1mls only

PenrithCommunity Health Centre

1mls only

November 2142

December 1664

January 1732

February 50 1996

March 310 2193

April 670 1449

May 865 1705

June 1165 1935

Statistics from Nepean Vending Machine.

Latest Statistics from Nepean Vending Machines Month(04-05)

Vending Machines

1mls only

South CourtPrimary Care

Centre

Two vending machines at front

door

PenrithCommunity

Health Centre

1mls only

October 3075 11113 1093

November 2965 11920 1372

December 3760 12713 1280

January 3700 9951 1134

February 2575 11445 1185

March 3130 13838 1311

Summary of research Pharmacists report no noticeable impact on

the number of Fitpacks they distributed. No negative impact on local free distribution

(reports of increased distribution). No increase in discarded equipment. In terms of security, there had been no

incidents reported. Clients reached that will not use other

services

Users of the vending machines had significantly shorter history of IV drug use.

Vending machines regularly attracted a segment of the IDU population that was hardly reached by the other syringe programs.

Vending machine users were younger and less likely to be enrolled in a methadone program or to report being HIV positive and were less likely to be heroin injectors.