The territorial government says it will be providing vending machines that will offer anonymous and free access to health and harm-reduction supplies across the NWT.
That initiative will last for the next three years, according to a press release circulated on Aug. 14.
The vending machines, called healthboxes, are promised to offer HIV self-test kits, pregnancy tests, condoms, Naloxone (which reverses the effects of opioids), drug testing kits and other health and wellness resources. There will be one such vending machine at the Yellowknife Public Library, as well as one in Behchoko鈥檚 Sportsplex and one in Hay River鈥檚 community centre.
Inuvik will also receive two vending machines: one at its airport and the other at the Midnight Sun Complex later this month.
鈥淪upplies are available at no cost, with no ID or appointment required," the news release stated. "The machines also provide vital health information and a service directory to help people connect with local healthcare support services.鈥�
Adding these machines is meant to make it easier to access health supplies, and is part of the GNWT鈥檚 response to challenges such as outbreaks of sexually transmitted infections, illicit drug poisoning and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health supplies.
The machines鈥� contents will be tailored to each community and updated regularly using data and feedback to respond to local needs, according to the GNWT.
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