Not just for snacks – vending machines as a low-barrier harm reduction access method.

Alice Zhang, MD, MPH
Penn State College of Medicine

ABSTRACT:
Harm reduction-focused vending machines, delivering naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and other public health items, represent a potential non-stigmatizing, low-barrier approach to harm reduction that may increase access and engagement with underserved populations, reduce overdoses and related public health conditions, and health disparities in substance use disorder. Two interactive harm reduction-focused, community health-oriented vending machines have been implemented in central Pennsylvania, with two additional vending machines planned in 2026. This presentation will discuss barriers and facilitators to harm reduction vending machine implementation, as well as preliminary data on their acceptability, reach, utilization, and impact.