NCJ Number
226626
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 490-501
Date Published
March 2009
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This Australian study examined the role and effectiveness of machines that dispense needle syringes for drug injections as perceived by the health staff of needle syringe programs (NSPs), as well as the staff of drug treatment programs and other health services linked to syringe dispensing machines.
Abstract
Generally, syringe dispensing machines were viewed by the surveyed staff as a successful model of NSP. The machines were viewed as providing anonymous and off-peak-hour services to injecting drug users (IDUs), complementing staffed NSPs and pharmacies without causing an observed increase in unsafe disposal of used needles and syringes. The staff did not believe that these machines contributed to overall community levels of drug use or vandalism. On the other hand, the syringe dispensing machines were viewed as having the potential to reduce staff-user contact. There should be discussions about combining the use of the machines with efforts to improve staff-user contact in a treatment environment. There were nine dispensing machines in the study area. For the coin operated vending machines, a $2 coin is required to purchase a FITPACK, which is a rigid plastic package that contains sterile needles, syringes, and other equipment such as water, alcohol, swabs, spoon, and cotton-balls. The machines are serviced by private contractors. Between August and November 2006, the clinical staff and associated support staff of NSPs (n=28) and staff of the study area’s drug abuse treatment services (n=165) were invited to provide direct or indirect (e-mail) responses to a survey. The survey solicited responses on the respondent’s position title, the impact of dispensing machines on the respondent’s daily work, and comments on dispensing machines. 3 figures, 1 table, 22 references, and appended survey questionnaire