“There’s absolutely no downside to this, I mean, except community opposition:” A qualitative study of the acceptability of vending machines for harm reduction

Original research
by
Stewart, Rebecca E. et al

Release Date

2023

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

The current study explores stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of vending machines for harm reduction (VMHR) in Philadelphia.

Findings/Key points

Stakeholders were generally receptive to VMHR. The current study findings are consistent with qualitative analyses from outside of the USA and contribute new ideas regarding the anticipated community response and best methods for introducing these machines to a community. With thoughtful planning and design, VMHR could be a feasible and acceptable modality to reduce death and disease transmission associated with the opioid and HIV epidemics in cities like Philadelphia.

Design/methods

31 semi-structured interviews

Keywords

Harm reduction