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Harm reduction vending machines: Exploring and improving acceptability of a low barrier approach to reducing drug related harms

Award Number: R36DA059418
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2025

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Harm reduction vending machines: Exploring and improving acceptability of a low barrier approach to reducing drug related harms - Project summary While syringe service programs remain a leading method of delivering harm reduction supplies in the United States, they remain underutilized by the most vulnerable populations of people who use drugs (PWUD). To reduce substance use related harms, we need to provide a suite of harm reduction service delivery approaches that address the needs of a diverse and evolving population of PWUD. This proposed project will examine an innovative approach to reducing infectious disease transmission and fatal overdose in an understudied Western region. Used internationally for decades, harm reduction vending machines (HRVMs) were implemented in Nevada in 2017 and contain supplies like syringe kits, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips. It is unknown if HRVMs are an acceptable and feasible mode of service delivery and if they address the unmet needs of underserved PWUD in the US. This study will explore how, why, and who uses (and doesn't use) this novel method of service delivery. We propose a theory driven exploratory mixed-methods study to address the following aims: 1. Determine who HRVMs are reaching by 1) estimating awareness, intention to use, and prevalence of HRVM use, and 2) describing the associations with demographics, behavioral characteristics, social and environmental factors, and perceived barriers and facilitators. 2. Identify what factors influence HRVM use through a Rapid Ethnographic Assessment consisting of field site observations, ethnographic mapping, and qualitative interviews. Findings from this proposed research will tell us who is using HRVMs, who is not using HRVMs, what motivates and restricts their use, and areas for improvement to increase utilization. This information is vitally important to policy makers, public health practitioners, funders, and community-based organizations where resources are limited, and data-driven decisions produce better outcomes. This proposal addresses the NIDA 2022-2026 strategic plan goal to accelerate the science of harm reduction and will be directly and immediately relevant to informing national drug control strategy.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$42,778 )
2026	2025	BOARD OF REGENTS OF NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION	1664 N VIRGINIA ST	RENO	NV	89557	WASHOE	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	2	1/19/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2026	2025	BOARD OF REGENTS OF NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION	1664 N VIRGINIA ST	RENO	NV	89557	WASHOE	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	2	4/1/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$42,778
														Subtotal = -$42,778

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $53,754 )
2025	2025	BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER ED	1664 N VIRGINIA ST # 285	RENO	NV	89557	WASHOE	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	2	6/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$53,754
														Subtotal = $53,754

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $53,426 )
2024	2024	BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER ED	1664 N VIRGINIA ST # 285	RENO	NV	89557	WASHOE	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	5/24/2024	NEW	$53,426
														Subtotal = $53,426

Grand Total All Awards = $64,402

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Harm reduction vending machines: Exploring and improving acceptability of a low barrier approach to reducing drug related harms

Award Number: R36DA059418

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2025

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