Global News Canada: Harm reduction vending machine now in Winnipeg’s north end
UC professor discusses successes of Cincinnati program being replicated in other communities
The University of Cincinnati's Daniel Arendt spoke with Global News Canada about the benefits of free harm reduction vending machines being implemented in Hamilton County, Ohio, as a similar machine has been launched in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
“There’s actually really good evidence to suggest participants who engage with programs like this end up being much more likely to enter substance use treatment, they’re much more likely to cease injecting and putting themselves at risk for blood borne pathogens, as well as reach out to us and connect with other harm reduction services,” said Arendt, assistant professor in UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and co-chair of the pain stewardship committee for UC Health.
Harm reduction vending machines are becoming more common across the country and internationally after a program run by Cincinnati nonprofit Caracole in partnership with Interact for Health and the University of Cincinnati launched one of the first vending machines in the United States in 2021. Global News Canada reports the machine implemented in Winnipeg is stocked with items including clean needles, naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, general hygiene items, snacks, water and socks.
“We know that the need is there. We know that there are folks out there using drugs and maybe not using clean needles, and so we want to provide that in a really a low-barrier way where they can come and get those things without even having to ask,” said Stephanie Ens, executive director of NorWest CO-OP Community Health where the machine is set up.
Read or watch the Global News Canada story.
Read more about the Caracole/UC vending machine project.
Featured photo at top of bottles of injectable naloxone. Photo/iStock/PowerofForever.
Related Stories
These teeny spiders are social media stars
August 28, 2026
The New York Times turned to a University of Cincinnati professor to explain the appeal of jumping spiders on social media.
An internal divide among unions on AI impacts the Wisconsin gubernatorial race
August 28, 2026
Anne Lofaso, a professor in the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at UC, spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio, about the schism among unions over AI and whether it is a plus, a negative, or somewhere in between when looking at job creation.
On-site training in Speech & Hearing Clinic sets UC’s programs apart
August 27, 2026
At the University of Cincinnati’s Speech & Hearing Clinic, Doctor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology graduate students gain real-world experience while providing free speech and hearing services to the community.