Hamilton to get harm-reduction vending machine that dispenses safe injection kits, other supplies

A vending machinewill soon dispensefree harm-reduction suppliesin Hamilton making naloxone,needles and inhalation kits availablewith the push of a button at any time.

Also called OurHealthbox, it will be set upat Hamilton General Hospitalas part of a pilot run by the city's public health departmentand Greater Hamilton Health Network (GHHN), executive director Melissa McCallumat a board of health meeting Monday.

Thevending machines arealready in cities including Brantford, Ont., Ottawa and Toronto,McCallum said.

In Hamilton, staff haveyet to finalize what will be supplied in the vending machines, but said needles and inhalation kits will be available.

McCallum said Mohawk College willalso have two set up this fall, but college spokesperson Sean Coffey clarified on Tuesday that they will not be offering drug paraphernalia.

"Most of the supplies that will be included in the Healthbox machines are already available on campus," Coffey said in a statement.

The vending machines, also equipped with condoms and other hygiene and health supplies, are intended to be a low-barrier option, Julie Prieto, director of epidemiology and well-being with public health. told the board.

"It's really about staying safe in the moment and needing access to safe supplies," Prieto said.

Hamilton Health Sciences, which runs the hospital, said it will "carefully assess this initiative and explore potential locations."

On Monday, Prieto and otherstaff were asked a slew of questions by a few skepticalcouncillorswho also voiced their concerns.

"When residents get news of vending machines with drug supplies... residents are going to have a huge problem with that," said Coun. John-Paul Danko.

"I'm wondering what kind of messaging we're telling our young people, that you can try those things, those pipes? I don't understand it,"said Coun. Esther Pauls.

Coun. Cameron Kroetsch pushed back on what he called "politicizing" the issue.

"What we're hearing from our medical professionals is that by having safe supplies for people who are going to use drugs regardless ...fewer of our neighbours will die," Kroetschsaid.

Councillor to push forban

Coun. Maureen Wilson questioned how the vending machine model "collides or complements"in-person harm reduction programs, which includepeople also havingaccess toprofessional help for addictions or mental health.

Prieto said there's a "spectrum" of strategies, including providing supplies to people who aren't looking for more support.

Our Healthbox was created by St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. There are25 slots available for a range of supplies, fromself-test kits for HIV to socks and gloves. The vending machines are set up in 10 places across Canada, including Winnipeg.

The pilot project in Hamilton does not require council's approval as it is allowed under the Ministry of Health's standards for harm reduction programming, said Dr. Brendan Lew, associate medical officer of health.

It was included in an information report updating the board on jointprojects by public health and GHHN,whichreports to Ontario Health. The Ministry of Health provides funding and regulation.

Dankowill put forward a motion in the coming weeks calling on the ministry to not fund "unsupervised distribution of drug paraphernalia" through OurHealthbox and to ban them in the city.

Automated kiosks offering drug-testing strips, safe-sex kits, bubble pipes and snorting utensils weresuspended or removed in B.C., reported CBClast month.

Premier David Eby ordered a review of the program after a provincial Conservative candidateposted a video on social media criticizing it.