Exploring vending machines that provide harm reduction supplies for drug users
Official title: Harm reduction vending machines: Exploring and improving acceptability of a low barrier approach to reducing drug related harms
Funded at University of Nevada Reno · NIH-11094902 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how helpful vending machines that provide supplies like syringes and naloxone can be for people who use drugs, and it wants to find out who uses them and what makes them easy or hard to access.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Reno NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Reno, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $53,754 |
| NIH project number | 5R36DA059418-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094902 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who use drugs and may benefit from increased access to harm reduction supplies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use drugs or are not at risk of drug-related harms may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of harm reduction vending machines (HRVMs) as a way to provide essential supplies like syringes, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips to people who use drugs (PWUD). The study aims to understand who uses these machines, their awareness of them, and the factors that influence their usage. By employing a mixed-methods approach, researchers will gather data through observations and interviews to assess the acceptability and feasibility of HRVMs in addressing the needs of underserved populations. The goal is to identify barriers and facilitators to access and improve service delivery for PWUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance access to life-saving harm reduction supplies for vulnerable populations, potentially reducing drug-related harms and fatalities.
How similar studies have gone: While harm reduction vending machines have been used internationally, this specific approach in the U.S. is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Reno
Reno, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirk, Mia Rae — University of Nevada Reno
- Study coordinator: Kirk, Mia Rae
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.