Vegas Needle Exchange: City Has Nation's First Needle Vending Machine

Las Vegas is now hope to the nation's first needle exchange vending machine. It's part of the new needle exchange program by the Southern Nevada Health District. It's the first comprehensive needle exchange program in that part of the state.

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The program - launched in collaboration with Trac-B Exchange, the Harm Reduction CenterLV, and the Nevada ADIS Research and Education Society (NARES) - is intended to reduce the instance of needles being shared, limiting the transmission of bloodborne infections and their related health complications.

Needle exchange programs are model public health programs," said the Chief Health Officer of the Southern Nevada Health, Dr. Joe Iser. "It starts with providing a clean needle and syringe to one person.

"Providing clean needles and supplies is a proven method for limiting disease transmission in a community.

Iser says that in addition to providing supplies to individual clients, the program's goal is to improve the health and well-being of people affected by drug use "by increasing their access to health care, providing them with education, and reducing the risk of harm to others in our community."

A key component of the program is the introduction of vending machines, a pilot program being tested for the first time in the country.

To use the vending machines, people must first register with Trac-B or one of the community partners with whom Trac-B contracts to provide services.

People can then receive two boxes each week. The health district says that "each box contains items needed to reduce the risk of infections."

The needle exchange program - including the clinics and the vending machines - is open to anyone in Southern Nevada.

"Trac-B Exchange is the first needle exchange program in Las Vegas with a consistent schedule of available times, a physical location for accessibility, a variety of harm reduction materials and supplies, along with testing and education," said Trac-B Exchange's Program Director, Richard Reich.

"Trac-B is proud to assist all community collaborators in this cost-effective effort and in the promotion of the vending machine pilot project."

Needle exchange vending machines are available at Trac-B Exchange’s location at 6114 W. Charleston Blvd. from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Thursday.

Photo of Chelsi Cheatom from Trac-B Exchange, demonstrating the vending machine courtesy Southern Nevada Health District.