On June 10, 2023, Georgian-language Facebook users disseminated the information that a free vending machine for drug addicts was placed in New York, from which it is possible to get fentanyl tablets, overdose drugs, condoms and a “crack smoking pipes.” The post also mentions that disposable syringes for heroin users will be added to the machines soon. Additionally, one post claimed that these machines are emptied and refilled every night.
The disseminated claim about drug vending machines in New York is false and creates the impression that the machines serve to promote drug use. In fact, the purpose of installing the machines is to reduce the number of drug overdose deaths. The devices do not contain fentanyl tablets, but drug-test strips.
The photos shared on Facebook show a public health vending machine located in New York. They were unveiled on June 5, 2023, by New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.
The initiative to set up the devices came about due to the severe situation in New York. The number of people who died from drug overdoses is increasing rapidly from year to year; 2103 deaths were recorded in 2020, 2688 in 2021, and 1370 in the first half of 2022 alone.
A non-profit organization called “Services for the Underserved” (S:US) is responsible for the operation of the machines. Several types of products are placed in the devices. These include naloxone (also known as Narcan), which is an effective treatment for opioid overdose. In addition, the machines were placed with items intended for “safe smoking”, such as lip balm and a special glass pipe (1,2). The device also contains safe sex and hygiene products.
The distributed posts claim that fentanyl tablets are also being included in the vending machines, which creates the impression that the devices were set up to distribute drugs to the population. The machines actually have fentanyl drug-test strips on them.
Deploying the machines is part of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ plan to reduce drug overdose deaths by 15% by 2025.
It should be noted that New York is not the only city where similar devices have been placed. Naloxone machines already exist in California, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
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