The Crack Pipes Vending Machine could very well become one of the most controversial dispensers of its kind. It targets drug addicts, but not in the way some people might assume right off the bat. Instead of perpetuating this dangerous lifestyle, it was created to help wean people off while also decreasing diseases amongst users.
Installed by Portland Hotel Society, a non-profit organization that operate housing facilities for the homeless in Vancouver, Canada, the Crack Pipes Vending Machine dispenses Pyrex crack pipes for just 25 cents each. Kailin See of Portland Hotel Society says, "This is one piece of the larger puzzle." You have to have treatment, you have to have detox, you have to have safe spaces to use your drug of choice, and you have to have safe and clean supplies."
Drug Addict Dispensers
Portland Hotel Society's Crack Pipes Vending Machine Provides Safe Supplies
Trend Themes
1. Harm Reduction Vending Machines - The trend of dispensing safe drug-use supplies through vending machines to promote harm reduction among drug addicts.
2. Integrated Harm Reduction Services - The trend of providing integrated and comprehensive harm reduction services to address substance abuse and addiction among disenfranchised populations.
3. Innovative Addiction Treatment - The trend of developing innovative addiction treatment methods that go beyond traditional detox and rehab programs to address the complex needs of substance abuse disorder patients.
Industry Implications
1. Public Health Services - Public health services and organizations can benefit from adopting harm reduction strategies that promote safe drug use and reduce the spread of diseases among vulnerable populations.
2. Substance Abuse Treatment Centers - Substance abuse treatment centers can benefit from incorporating harm reduction strategies that recognize and address the complex needs of substance abuse disorder patients while promoting long-term recovery and wellness.
3. Vending Machine Manufacturers - Vending machine manufacturers can benefit from developing specialized vending machines that dispense safe drug use supplies and support harm reduction initiatives among at-risk populations.