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

A vending machine will soon dispense free harm-reduction supplies in Hamilton — making naloxone, needles and inhalation kits available with the push of a button at any time. 

Also called Our Healthbox, it will be set up at Hamilton General Hospital as part of a pilot run by the city's public health department and Greater Hamilton Health Network (GHHN), executive director Melissa McCallum at a board of health meeting Monday. 

The vending machines are already in cities including Brantford, Ont., Ottawa and Toronto, McCallum said.

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

McCallum said Mohawk College will also 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 other staff were asked a slew of questions by a few skeptical councillors who 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," Kroetsch said. 

Councillor to push for ban 

Coun. Maureen Wilson questioned how the vending machine model "collides or complements" in-person harm reduction programs, which include people also having access to professional 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 are 25 slots available for a range of supplies, from self-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 joint projects by public health and GHHN, which reports to Ontario Health. The Ministry of Health provides funding and regulation. 

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

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

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